Starting Michigan football defensive lineman declares for NFL draft

This one might sting a bit.

While it was thought that among the starters that Michigan football wouldn’t lose much save for those who exhausted their eligibility and edge rusher David Ojabo, a surprise declaration was made on Wednesday afternoon.

Christopher Hinton started the past two years for the Wolverines up front and really started coming on in 2021 as a solid defender at defensive tackle. Alongside Mazi Smith, Hinton helped secure a strong front, one that didn’t get after the passer up the middle, but was stout against the run.

However, Hinton has put on a winged helmet for the last time, it appears, as he announced he’s declared for the 2022 NFL draft.

Hinton appeared in all 14 games in 2021, had 33 tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss. He had two years of eligibility remaining.

He joins David Ojabo, Aidan Hutchinson, and Daylen Baldwin in Michigan’s NFL draft declarations.