Tag: Chris Hinton

Projecting the Chargers’ interior defensive line depth chart in 2024

Taking a crack at projecting what the Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle room will look like entering the 2024 season.

Over the next few weeks ahead of training camp, I will continue to break down the depth chart for each Chargers position.

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Tight end

Offensive line

Edge rusher

Next, I project what the interior defensive line room will look like heading into the 2024 season.

Morgan Fox

Fox joined the Chargers ahead of the 2022 season, where he had a career year. He recorded 40 pressures, 6.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits. For his efforts, Fox was re-signed last offseason. He continued to be an impactful interior pass rusher, finishing with 37 pressures and five sacks. Fox is in the final year of his contract.

Poona Ford

The Chargers lacked veterans in the positional room aside from Fox, so they went out and signed Ford on a cheap deal. Like Fox, Ford will be able to come on as a pass rusher from the middle of the defensive line. He can play on early downs. While he hasn’t been as a good defending the run the past couple of seasons, he has shown the ability to put on strong in this department in his early playing days with the Seahawks.

Justin Eboigbe

After signing Ford, the Chargers still needed more reinforcements up front so they selected Eboigbe in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Eboige is an interior defender who is tough and well-built with the strength to anchor at the point of attack and eat up double teams. While his strong suit is in run defense, he showed the explosiveness and technicality to get after the quarterback last season.

Otito Ogbonnia

After being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, Ogbonnia made a name for himself in his rookie season. While he may not have stood out on the stat sheet, with 14 tackles and a tackle for loss in seven games, Ogbonnia was a reliable run defender by penetrating the backfield to cause havoc and occupying double teams. Unfortunately, a ruptured left patellar tendon during Week 7 cut his season short. Ogbonnia worked his way back and appeared in eight games last season, totaling 21 tackles and two QB hits.

Christopher Hinton

I expect the Chargers to roster five interior defenders, which means this will be a battle between a handful of players, including Hinton, Scott Matlock and Jerrod Clark. Hinton, the former five-star recruit, gets the nod because of his familiarity with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Hinton has shown flashes of being a nice rotational piece.

4 ex-Colts named Hall of Fame semifinalists for Senior, Coach/Contributor

Chris Hinton featured among 60 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 in the Senior, Coach/Contributor category.

Three former Indianapolis Colts players and one former coach have been named semifinalists for the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 in the Senior, Coach/Contributor categories.

This nomination slightly differs from the typical list of Modern-Era players as it pertains to players who haven’t played in at least 25 years.

Per the Hall of Fame:

To assure that older players, whose active careers have been completed at least 25 years, as well as coaches, who have not coached in at least five years, and those individuals who contributed to the game in ways other than playing and coaching, will be considered along with the Modern-Era Player candidates, a Coach/Contributor Committee and a Seniors Committee have been established.

Like the Modern-Era nominees, the finalists for this category still need 80% approval in the voting in order to reach the Hall of Fame.

Here is the quartet of former Colts who made it to the semifinalist round:

4 ex-Colts among 2023 coach/contributor Hall of Fame semifinalists

4 ex-Colts among 2023 coach/contributor Hall of Fame semifinalists.

Four former members of the Baltimore and Indianapolis Colts franchises were selected among the 29 semifinalists for the coaching/contributor category of the 2023 class, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced this week.

The list of former Colts includes two offensive linemen, a wide receiver who only spent one season with the Colts and a former trainer who worked with the team in Baltimore.

Each semifinalist played no later than the 1996 season.

Here are the former Colts who made the list:

Chris Hinton signs as an undrafted free agent

Hope it pans out for him!

The former five-star recruit is hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps in the NFL. The Johns Creek, Georgia native is hoping to prove the doubters wrong.

Christopher Hinton’s father, Chris Hinton, made seven Pro Bowls with the Indianapolis Colts during his NFL career. Christopher Hinton was in the class of 2019, along with Daxton Hill, and both of them declared early for the 2022 NFL draft.

Christopher Hinton played three seasons for Michigan, but he finally received a large role at defensive tackle this past season where he had 32 tackles and one sack — Hinton had two total sacks at Michigan for his career.

Hinton is going to have his work cut out for him leaving Michigan a year early, and signed as a UDFA with the New York Giants. But Hinton was a five-star recruit for a reason, and the sky is the limit if you have some raw talent.

Jordan Schultz reported the signing with the Giants on Saturday evening.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f1jz09x182sckzve image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=60321]

Eagles stock up on versatile defenders in ESPN’s 7-round mock draft

Philadelphia Eagles stock up on versatile defenders in Jordan Reid’s 7-round mock draft for ESPN

The Eagles had a solid start to the NFL’s free-agent period and after adding Haason Reddick, Kyzir White, and Zach Pascal, the organization will now shift its focus toward the NFL draft.

Philadelphia has needs at cornerback, wide receiver, and defensive tackle, but the expectation is that Howie Roseman will add depth at defensive end, safety, and offensive line as well.

Jordan Reid revealed his latest mock draft for ESPN, and the skilled talent evaluator has the Birds stocking up on versatile defenders.

Why Michigan football’s culture change goes beyond hopes and smiles

Some really good practical examples of why current players have bought in. #GoBlue

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — If you talk to a Michigan football player, they will tell you that the culture has completely changed inside Schembechler Hall. Given the moribund aura around 2020, that’s the least you could hope for.

That’s been the talk of the team since spring ball, with just about every Wolverine noting how much different things are compared to before.

“Oh yeah. The culture is amazing. When I wake up, I look forward to coming in, getting treatment, watching film, because everybody’s here,” junior tight end Erick All said. “Everybody has a smile on their face, everybody’s ready to have a better season.”

[lawrence-related id=39516,39513]

“Oh, I feel it. Everybody feels it,” junior defensive tackle Chris Hinton said. “Everyone just has an extra pep in their step when it comes to practice, meetings. You feel the culture change around this building.

“We have a lot of trust in Coach Mac and the new staff. Like I said, the new staff is young – really young – so they relate to us a lot. Just do football, do life, what you’re going through – things of that sort. When you trust somebody, you’re gonna give your all.”

While both players above expounded a bit on what it means, it goes deeper than just liking the coaches or having smiles on their faces.

Junior left guard Trevor Keegan notes that a big part of the change includes players who wouldn’t have consorted with each other now getting to know their counterparts on the team they might not have been quite as familiar with.

“100%, yeah. Players, the coaches, the team camaraderie,” Keegan said. “We got dudes talking to dudes that wouldn’t even talk to each other two years ago. Now, spirit’s up, hopes are high and we’re determined this year.”

[lawrence-related id=39411,39404,39397]

Hinton confirms what Keegan says, noting that a big part of the change is the fact that last year, players couldn’t hang out together in the building, especially during meal times. With the pandemic raging, many meetings were virtual, and if players were getting food, it was a grab-and-go situation.

However, now it’s all quite different, but not just because new friendships are being forged. It all started back in January when Jim Harbaugh let many of his longtime staff members go in favor of bringing in younger coaches. Himself eager to right a sinking ship, Harbaugh gave a speech to the team that encouraged the downtrodden to bound together.

“Honestly, I think the first team meeting we had after the season,” Keegan said is when he first noticed the culture change. “Coach Harbaugh said, ‘If you’re gonna hop on the train, don’t miss it. Just stay on it and keep going.’ First spring practice, it’s been rolling.”

That was true for Keegan, but for Hinton, it was more forged when new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald arrived, encouraging more participation in what the players wanted to see happen on that side of the ball. The inclusive nature of having a younger, yet storied NFL-level coach coming in and relating to the players certainly helped someone like Hinton — who had been recruited by and played under Don Brown — buy in.

“(I) probably first noticed the culture change the first meeting he had with us in January,” Hinton said. “(Macdonald) came in, we had a defensive meeting. Laid down what he envisioned and he said, ‘What do y’all envision this to be? Because it’s y’alls defense at the end of the day.’ And the guys really soaked that up and really appreciated that he was really giving us the keys to the defense – I mean, we all know that he’s the coach though! But having us put a blueprint in the defense.”

[listicle id=39402]

RECAP: Vincent Gray, Chris Hinton, Trevor Keegan, Erick All (8/31)

Michigan football players share their thoughts on the culture changes, the new defense and more in a 5-minute highlight video.

[mm-video type=video id=01fefj94wbqb5sn5vc0d playlist_id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fefj94wbqb5sn5vc0d/01fefj94wbqb5sn5vc0d-ae11ba00fb36934df0dd6276edf10366.jpg]

August 31, 2021:

• Vincent Gray
• Christopher Hinton
• Trevor Keegan
• Erick All

[lawrence-related id=39404,39397,39317]

In accordance with Michigan football policy, the media isn’t allowed to upload more than 5 minutes of footage from any press conference. But we found our way around that. Giving you the best of every press conference, we cut out the questions to give you the straight answers, with the most interesting parts of each media availability taking center stage. WolverinesWire presents our new series: RECAP in five minutes or less.

[lawrence-related id=39513,39417,39411]

Topics include:

• Defensive changes in the secondary
• What Vincent Gray has seen from Daylen Baldwin
• Why Gray is happy about the scheme changes
• Culture changes on the team
• How previous personal struggles are helping current players
• Impressions of Mike Macdonald
• How practice should help in games

And MORE!

[listicle id=39402]

5 takeaways from Michigan’s 49-11 loss against No. 13 Wisconsin

Michigan football captured another loss of the season to the No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers. What are the five takeaways from the 49-11 loss?

[jwplayer iLOLiLL5-XNcErKyb]

A third straight loss is one thing for a team, but when that third straight loss is by 38 points and at home, that says something else. Michigan started strong on defense after forcing Wisconsin to punt, and it seemed like Michigan would have a chance to make this game close. Then one play later, the momentum went in favor of Wisconsin and never left that side of the field.

Early turnovers by Michigan quarterback Joe Milton propelled Wisconsin to a quick 14-0 lead, and suddenly Michigan was in a hole that it couldn’t escape from. The hole would double in size at halftime as it was 28-0. Michigan didn’t have an answer on how to stop the Badgers offense, but also it couldn’t figure out what to do against their defense either. With the score being what it was, Michigan had to leave the running game and throw it through the air, which wasn’t working for them tonight.

This 38-point loss is the biggest Michigan football has had under head coach Jim Harbaugh outside of the two 39-point losses to Ohio State and the 39-point loss to Penn State. One of those three was at home, and now another 30+ point loss happened in Ann Arbor. Michigan has plenty to work on to try and figure out what is happening to them this season. What were the biggest takeaways from the 49-11 loss?

Why a more mature Chris Hinton is happy he picked Michigan

Michigan football DT Chris Hinton shares why Year 2 is different and why he stuck with Michigan despite other schools coming after him.

[jwplayer g0gX6XZ7-XNcErKyb]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When you’re a five-star recruit, as Michigan defensive tackle Christopher Hinton was, the expectations are through the roof before you even set foot on campus. But Hinton had to wait his turn to see the field, just like anyone else, regardless of his recruiting ranking.

Now, he’s on the field as a starter, not only getting the nod at the 3-technique position on defense, but also getting 31 snaps — his second-most in his college career, behind only the VRBO Citrus Bowl vs. Alabama, when he played 39 snaps.

While he didn’t show up on the stat sheet for the Big Ten season opener on Saturday, Hinton says he’s much more ready this year compared to last when it comes to making a sizable contribution.

“Confidence is one of the largest things I’ve seen myself grow from last year to this year,” Hinton said. “Played in a couple games last year, a couple big games, I just felt my confidence on a different level this year, just confident in my ability, confident in my preparation. Things like that. And it just helped me play more loose and play more freely, like I did on Saturday.

“Obviously, I’m my biggest critic so I never feel like I play well. So there’s always room for improvement, always room for improvement. It’s a great starting block and I’m just ready to do my part.”

[lawrence-related id=29240,29225,29201]

Hailing from Norcross (GA) Greater Atlanta Christian School and rated the No. 31 player, regardless of position, in the 247Sports Composite, Hinton had his veritable choice of schools. But he committed to Michigan all the way back in Aug. 2017, more than a year before he could actually sign with the Wolverines.

He had offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State and Notre Dame, but Michigan was the one place he felt was the best for him. And, if he could choose all over agin, he’d make the same choice.

“The way I was brought up, I was always brought up education first, because football won’t last you very long,” Hinton said. “In my recruiting, when I was looking at schools, you had schools, certain schools, great football, always top five every year, but when you look at the academic side, they’re far, far down the totem pole. Then you got schools that got great academics, but they don’t compete on the field every year. When you look at Michigan, I honestly feel like it’s one of the only few schools that honestly have a great balance of academics and football.

“Also, the kids on the team are very like-minded. I saw myself in a lot of the kids here and I feel great about my choice coming here. No regrets.”

[vertical-gallery id=29051]

Jim Harbaugh: Michigan’s defensive identity in 2020 starts up front

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh shares why the DL is the team’s defensive identity and who’s standing out in the linebacking corps

[jwplayer HliWGP0Q-XNcErKyb]

What’s kept Michigan from being as dominant the past two years defensively as it was the three previous?

The Wolverines are still in the upper echelon of college football in terms of total defense — meaning, yards surrendered per game — but 2018 and 2019 have seen some serious lapses, particularly against Ohio State. Still, the maize and blue have finished no worse than No. 11 in that metric since Jim Harbaugh arrived, but there has to be a reason why it hasn’t been able to keep pace with the Buckeyes, right?

One part of it certainly could be the lack of push up front. In 2016, Michigan had eight sacks against OSU. In 2017, it had three. But in 2018 it had zero and managed just one in 2019.

So to say that the defensive line needs to improve, particularly in that game, it wouldn’t be terribly novel of an idea.

Thankfully, it appears that’s the defense’s strength heading into 2020, as Harbaugh told Jon Jansen on the Inside Michigan Football radio show that he feels the defensive front is that side of the ball’s identity — starting with the two ends up front.

“I think if you can picture – I know you can picture it, but Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson – two — wow,” Harbaugh said. “Tremendous players and they’re having great camps. I kinda look over at them and I see the identity for our defense in those two. Really talented, great, high-effort kind of players. Carlo Kemp and Chris Hinton – and now Donovan Jeter also is really surging and doing great. Such a natural and good football player. And Jess Speight, total Michigan man. Talk about position switches and a guy who will do anything for the team — In there playing nose.

“Also, Luiji Vilain, looking for him to have a very good year. Taylor Upshaw is surging as a player. Also say Julius Welschof, keep an eye on him. He’s coming into his own. Mike Morris, Mazi Smith, Gabe Newburg – really turning into great football players.

“That group of defensive linemen – a lot of identity coming out of that group.”

[lawrence-related id=28661,28659,28656]

Michigan will need more than the front four in order to get the defense back in the top four, nationally, in 2020.

Behind them are two household names in Josh Ross and Cam McGrone, but there’s a newcomer, in terms of starting, in VIPER Michael Barrett — a former quarterback in high school.

Starting with Barrett, Harbaugh broke down the linebackers, including who could spell the starters as the game wears on. All-in-all, he appears happy with the depth.

“He’s a rock-solid guy,” Harbaugh said. “Tough competitor and experienced player. Feeling very good about the linebacking position with Michael Barrett, Josh Ross and Cam McGrone. And some other players are behind them. Ben VanSumeren is looking for, competing for a starting spot at the SAM backer, along with David Ojabo. Adam Shibley has really surged here the last couple months and is doing a great job at the MIKE position. He’s got versatility to play both MIKE and WILL. Outstanding young player.

“Anthony Solomon is a sophomore, but he’s doing a heckuva good job. The two freshmen to really look at are inside backer Nikhai Hill-Green and Kalel Mullings — both doing really well, especially for only being freshmen. So starters and depth are being developed there at the linebacker position. Jaylen Harrell – make another note, right there with Nikhai Hill-Green and Kalel Mullings standing out as freshmen – Jaylen Harrell is doing that as well.”

We’ll see all of the above in action in mere weeks, with the season opener at Minnesota kicking off on Oct. 24 at 7:30 P.M. EDT. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.