Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is backing his alma mater. On Thursday, a reporter asked the former Michigan standout his thoughts on the recent cheating allegations surrounding Michigan assistant Connor Stalions. Hutchinson didn’t mince words.
“They’re doing all their investigations and they’re coming at Michigan when Michigan’s got a shot to win the national championship this year,” Hutchinson said, according to Michigan Live’s Kory Woods. “So I don’t know. It is what it is. I guess time will pass and people will forget about it and move on once we’re the (Big Ten) champs again.”
For those unaware, the NCAA is investigating Michigan for “sign-stealing.” On Tuesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that employee Stalions, who is at the center of the saga, bought tickets to four different campus games of four College Football Playoff contenders last year.
Thamel also reported that there are records of SEC title game ticket purchases from 2021 and 2022. Finally, twelve of the other 13 Big Ten schools have record of Stalions buying tickets. Hutchinson claims sign-stealing is a regular occurrence.
“People are always stealing signs in college football,” Hutchinson said. “People stole our signs. Other Big Ten schools stole our signs. It’s just a thing when you’re in college football, so I mean, not any more than anybody else did as far as I’m concerned.”
Aidan Hutchinson denies relationship with Connor Stalions
Although Michigan hired Stalions as a full-time staff member in 2022, his alleged involvement in the scandal dates back to 2021 — Hutchinson’s final year with the program. Hutchinson claims he had no relationship with Stalions.
“I didn’t have a relationship with him,” Hutchinson said. “It’s kind of just one of the coaches upstairs that you don’t really ever see, so I don’t think any of the players really had a relationship with him ever.”
In his senior season at Michigan, Hutchinson started all 14 games, finishing third on the team with 62 tackles, including 16.5 for loss, a program-record 14 sacks, three pass breakups. The Michigan native also registered 12 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.
For his efforts, Hutchinson was the 2021 Heisman Trophy runner-up, only the third defensive player to finish second in the history of the award. The Detroit Lions drafted Hutchinson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In his rookie campaign, the 6-foot-7 DE recorded 34 solo tackles and 9.5 sacks in 17 games. Hutchinson is again off to a hot start in the 2023 campaign. In seven games this season, Hutchinson boasts 15 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.