EDGE, Michigan
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 265 lbs
Class: Senior
As a four-star recruit in 2018, Hutchinson followed in his fathers footsteps and committed to the Wolverines. Chris Hutchinson was an All-American in 1992 and his son looks to be on a similar trajectory this season. After suffering a broken leg in 2020, he has come back and played the best football of his career under new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. Through seven games he has 34 pressures and six sacks on just 162 pass rushing snaps. At the time of writing, Hutchinson is also PFF’s highest graded college edge defender.
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Strengths
Hutchinson is an exceptional edge defender and it all starts with his pass rushing technique and diverse set of moves. He is great at reading and reacting to his opponent’s technique and knows when to employ certain moves. He also knows how to set them up, working push-pulls off a mean bull rush and employing inside counters after testing opponents with his speed off the edge.
A huge part of his success comes from his hand placement. Hutchinson may well be the best in the entire class in this regard and he is consistently able to get inside the frame of his opponent. On the rare occasion that he doesn’t, he is quick to correct his mistake. His length also allows to work opponents whilst keeping his own chest clean. Once he has established control of his opponent he then has the grip strength and power to create a tonne of movement.
Hutchinson combines this play strength with legitimate athletic ability. He ranked at No. 2 on Bruce Feldman’s 2021 ‘Freaks List’ and it is easy to see why on tape. He has tremendous burst out of his stance and the quickness to consistently make plays in the backfield. It is this ability to win in multiple ways that makes him such a tough opponent to contain. He can threaten the depth of the pass sets of the most athletic tackles in college football, and is also capable of bulldozing through them if he wants to.
Last but not least is Hutchinson’s ability as a run defender. He reads the run quickly and shows a good understanding of when to disengage from blockers. His play strength causes a tonne of problems in the trenches too and there were plenty of times on tape where he singlehandedly blew up a play. Combine this with the athletic ability to get into the backfield or to neutralise reach blocks and you have a very special player.
Weaknesses
There really aren’t a tonne of weaknesses to Hutchinson’s game. Coming into the season, teams would have been concerned about the long term impact of his broken leg in 2020. His tape so far this year has put that concern to bed. The one remaining area for improvement is his ability to get off blocks. When he loses control he struggles to counter and dislodge his opponent’s hands from his chest. You would like a little more urgency and activity in getting himself free.
Bottom Line
Whilst Hutchinson may not have the ceiling of Kayvon Thibodeaux, he is arguably the most polished of the two coming into the 2022 Draft. He has the physical tools to translate to the NFL and has proven himself to be a playmaker against the run and the pass. Few can match his diversity as a pass rusher and he should be a day one impact player at the next level.
Projection: Pro Bowl edge
Role: 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end
Round projection: 1st round (top five)
