Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: Preseason Game 1

DETROIT -- It’s cool to play for your hometown team. There’s also a lot of pressure that goes into it, especially when you’re a high draft pick. Some are cut out for it. Others are not. The Lions know that well after the Charles Rogers saga.

On Friday night, another top-two draft pick got his first taste of what it’s like to play in front of your hometown -- in front of thousands of people already wearing your name on their back, even before you’ve played an official down.

“It’s weird,” prized pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson said. “I haven’t even played a regular-season snap yet, and you look out in that crowd, and you see so many 97s. It’s very inspiring for me, and definitely shows the support of the fans, and the Michigan fans, all the fans coming through. It’s a really cool feeling looking up there and seeing all those jerseys.”

Hutchinson didn’t wait long to give those fans a taste of what he can do. He started with the first-team defense and immediately tackled quarterback Marcus Mariota on his first snap, then cooked offensive lineman Jake Matthews so badly on the next play that he was barely touched at all. Mariota and Matthews are fellow top-10 picks too, by the way, and while Mariota hasn’t lived up to expectations, Matthews hasn’t missed a start in seven years and made one Pro Bowl.

Yet Hutchinson did this to him, before dropping Falcons running back Qadree Ollison for a 2-yard loss.

Oh hi, @aidanhutch97#ATLvsDET | 📺 Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/RlOBDGYlG0

“You want a lot of TFLs,” Hutchinson said. “It was really cool. The fan reaction was great. Just having a lot of fun out there.”

There’s no doubt about the fan reaction. Hutchinson is a native of nearby Plymouth and played his high school ball at Dearborn Divine Child, which is located about 6 miles from the team’s training facility. And he’s experienced an outpouring of support since the Lions selected him with the second overall pick in this year’s draft.

He made his first trip to Ford Field for the Lions’ intrasquad scrimmage last week, and was mobbed by fans coming off the field. They chanted “AI-DAN! AI-DAN! AI-DAN!” as he tried to run up the tunnel, and Hutchinson stopped to sign footballs, posters and, yes, 97 jerseys. So many 97 jerseys.

Hutchinson also played very well that day, as he often has in his rookie camp. He has a lot to learn too of course, but he’s sparring with one of the game’s best offensive lines and already holding his own. Just imagine where he could be once he has more than one (unofficial) drive under his belt.

“Obviously, no game is perfect,” Hutchinson said. “I was out there for a few plays and have got to clean some things up. Just to trust my instincts a little better.”

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