Hutton had first came to Aberdeen's attention when he turned out for Hall Russell's while serving as a Gordon Highlander during the war. Following the armistice in 1918 Jock was demobbed and he turned out for Bellshill Athletic, but as the Dons prepared for the full return of peace time football, someone remembered his exploits for the Aberdeen shipyard side and he was invited to play in a couple of friendlies. In May 1919 that invitation was extended to signing for the club and although they didn't know it at the time, Aberdeen had a future international on their hands.

Hutton began his days at Pittodrie as an inside forward, where he put his considerable size and speed to some effect. During Jock's first full season at Pittodrie regular centre-half Dod Brewster was transferred and a couple of defensive injuries gave the big youngster a couple of chances to try out at both centre-half and full-back. The move to full-back proved to be the making of Hutton as a player. From the outset of the 1920-21 season Jock Hutton became an almost permanent feature at right back throughout the early and mid 1920s. His physique and uncompromising attitude made Jock a very difficult opponent, but put together with his surprising speed for a big man, it made him seem impregnable at times. In 1923 his rock-like performances at the back for Aberdeen were rewarded by a call up to the full international team and he played in all three home internationals that year.

Over the next three years Hutton was capped on a further four occasions, setting a club cap record that wouldn't be broken for almost 50 years. Jock also captained the Scottish team on four separate occasions.