DETROIT – Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is one week away from fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming an NFL player during the draft, but he will be taking the mound first.
Before the NFL Draft festivities, Hutchinson has been parading around his home state this week and will look to continue his homegrown ceremony, as he has been invited to Comerica Park on Friday (April 22) to throw out the first pitch when the Detroit Tigers host the Colorado Rockies to begin a three-game series.
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Hopefully, Miguel Cabrera will be inducted into the 3,000 hits club that day, too.
I say I say I say Aaron BLEEPING Boone and his Foghorn Leghorn New York Yankees make the unpopular decision to intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera, who is one hit away from joining the 3,000 hit club in the bottom of the eighth inning. #YankeesSuck
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) April 21, 2022
Hutchinson broke the news on his Twitter account.
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) April 20, 2022
The future top-two draft pick also visited Allen Park on Monday afternoon to meet with the Detroit Lions. The Lions have the No. 2 pick, and all indications are pointing to the 2021 Heisman finalist being selected by his hometown team, if the Jacksonville Jaguars don’t take him first.
Hutchinson is a fellow Michigander, as he graduated from Divine Child High School in Dearborn, which is less than 20 minutes away from the Lions’ practice facility.
Tom Pelissero, of the NFL Network, confirmed the visit via his Twitter:
“Michigan edge Aidan Hutchinson is visiting the Lions today, per source. Continued due diligence by Detroit on the top prospects, including the one in their backyard.”
— Brandon L. Carr (@Carrpediem21) April 20, 2022
Hutchinson spoke candidly to The Michigan Insider about his desire to stay home and continue to play in front of his family.
“That would definitely be interesting, especially because it’s so close to home, and I’d be so close to my family,” said Hutchinson. “I just know whatever team that picks me, they’re going to get my all. I’m really hoping to just win some ball games wherever I go and have a lot of success.”
According to Good Morning Football Sportscaster Peter Schrager’s top five 2022 mock draft, Hutchinson’s childhood dream could come to fruition.
Schrager said he’s talked to many people at the NFL Combine and throughout the draft process. He believes the Jacksonville Jaguars will do Detroit a solid and select University of Georgia edge rusher, Travon Walker.
With the second pick, Schrager has the Lions selecting Hutchinson. He believes former Lions defensive stalwart and current Special Assistant to the owner and CEO Chris Spielman and Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes could be looking to build from inside out.
Head coach Dan Campbell is all about toughness and having players willing to fight and bite at kneecaps already built inside of them. From what we saw during Hutchinson’s senior year in Ann Arbor, the 2021 Big Ten champ may be the perfect pick for the benefit of his family, but also the Lions, and all of One Pride nation.