The Wolverine

June-July2022

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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40 THE WOLVERINE JUNE / JULY 2022 BY ANTHONY BROOME T he Michigan football program was well represented during the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Ve- gas, sending five players to the pros during the three-day, seven-round proceedings in Sin City. U-M added to a few impressive pro- gram marks during the event. Defen- sive end Aidan Hutchinson was the first player off the board, extending the program's streak to 84 straight years with a player drafted just two picks into the first round. Hutchinson and David Ojabo, who racked up a combined 25 sacks in 2021, became the eighth and ninth edge defenders to be drafted in the Jim Harbaugh era. Every starting edge for U-M since 2015 has been selected in the draft. Hutchinson's destination — the hometown Detroit Lions — headlined the weekend for the Michigan draftees. His selection at No. 2 overall was the highest a Wolverine defender has ever been taken, jumping ahead of defensive back Charles Woodson in 1998 (No. 4 overall, Oakland Raiders). Hutchinson is the fifth Wolverine to be chosen first or second in a professional football draft, joining offensive tackle Jake Long (No. 1, Miami Dolphins, 2008 NFL), offensive tackle Tom Mack (No. 2, Los Angeles Rams, 1966 NFL), end Elmer Madar (No. 1, Miami Seahawks, 1947 All-America Football Conference) and running back Tom Harmon (No. 1, Chicago Bears, 1941 NFL). Hutchinson also became the first COMING HOME Michigan's 2022 NFL Draft Party Started With The Detroit Lions Rushing In Their Pick For Local Star Aidan Hutchinson Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomed Hutchinson into the league on April 28 as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The All-America defensive end, who grew up in Plymouth, Mich., was the first of five Wolverines selected this year. PHOTO BY LOGAN BOWLES/COURTESY NFL

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