University of Tennessee Athletics
Pittsburgh Steelers Select Sutton With 94th Overall Pick
April 28, 2017 | Football
PHILADELPHIA -- The Pittsburgh Steelers selected former Tennessee defensive back and VFL Cameron Sutton with the 94th overall pick during Friday's third round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval.
VOLS DRAFTED BY PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Pittsburgh Pirates: 1933-39 Pittsburgh Steelers: 1940-42, 45-Pres.
- 1941: Bob Suffridge - G, 6th Rd, 42nd pick
- 1942: Johnny Butler - B, 7th Rd, 51st pick
- 1944: Jim Meyers - G, 15th Rd, 151st pick
- 1945: Art Brandau - C, 10th Rd, 89th pick
- 1951: Bill Pearman - G, 26th Rd, 309th pick
- 1951: John Gruble - E, 30th Rd, 356th pick
- 1952: Herky Payne - B, 9th Rd, 102nd pick
- 1953: Frank Holohan - T, 10th Rd, 114th pick
- 1954: Bob Fisher - T, 10th Rd, 115th pick
- 1957: Frank Kolinsky - T, 28th Rd, 329th pick
- 1965: Whit Canale - FB, 17th Rd, 227th pick
- 1970: Frank Yanossy - DT, 16th Rd, 392nd pick
- 1978: Craig Colquitt - P, 3rd Rd, 76th pick
- 1987: Joey Clinkscales - WR, 9th Rd, 233nd pick
- 2000: Tee Martin - QB, 5th Rd, 163rd pick
- 2010: Chris Scott - T, 5th Rd, 151st pick
- 2014: Daniel McCullers - DT, 6th Rd, 215th pick
- 2017: Cameron Sutton - DB, 3rd Rd, 94th pick
Sutton is the 18th Vol to be selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the first since Daniel McCullers went 215th overall (sixth round) in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Sutton is the first Tennessee defensive back to be selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 when the Kansas City Chiefs picked Eric Berry with the fifth overall selection.
Sutton was a shutdown cornerback for the Vols for four-straight years. He was limited to six games this past season due to an injury he suffered against Ohio on Sept. 17 and returned to action against Kentucky on Nov. 12, recording a pair of pass breakups to break Jabari Greer's UT career record for passes defended. He finished the year with 23 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and five passes defended. In 45 games played, Sutton amassed 127 tackles (111 solo), 13.0 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 37 passes defended, one sack, three forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered. His 37 career passes defended are a Tennessee record. In 2015, Sutton earned Sporting News First Team All-America honors as a punt returner after leading the nation with an 18.7-yard average and returning two punts for touchdowns. His 14.6 career punt-return average (minimum 30 returns) is the best in Tennessee history.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Back Cameron Sutton
(On playing both inside and outside and if he has a preference)
"I do not at all [have a preference]. Wherever the team needs me is where I will be at, whether that's inside or inside. I am just excited about this opportunity that are giving me, and I will make the most of it."
(On if he spoke with Steelers DB Carnell Coach Lake at the Combine)
"I did. And the day before my pro day we talked a little bit, a little football. He got a chance to see how much I loved the game, my preparation through film."
(On returning punts)
"They brought it up. That's going to be a big part of it as well. Hopefully I get the opportunity to do that as well."
(On injuring his ankle in 2016 and the recovery process)
"I felt my best, 100 percent, when I got to the Senior Bowl. That's when I felt comfortable moving. That's when I felt my best moving around again, then at the Combine and pro day. I haven't had any problems. I am feeling really good right now."
(On Coach Lake mentioning playing a lot more press and man-to-man coverage)
"I am very comfortable. That's something that I did pretty much every play in college. We played man, single-high, or some form of man coverage every single play. And played some zone. So I am very comfortable with playing press-man or off-man."
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Backs Coach Carnell Lake
(Opening Statement)
"We're glad to draft Cameron Sutton from Tennessee, a cornerback. Cameron is a press corner and plays close to the line of scrimmage but can also play off. He does a good job of mirroring the receiver. He stays close, and that shows in his productivity as a corner for Tennessee over the years in his career. He has led his team and is the all-time leader in passed defensed for Tennessee. He knows how to cover, he stays close, and that is something that we've been looking for in the draft. In the third round, he was available and that's why we took him."
(On if man coverage was a big issue looking at guys this year)
"I think for us to be versatile as a defense we're going to instill a little more man this year. That's apparent in how we can improve our defense and get closer to defenders. We believe that Sutton will help us in that area."
(On how much does an emphasis on man coverage change the way he drafts)
"At least speaking for myself, I think versatility in a defensive back is something you always should look for, the ability to be able to call any defense and the defensive back should be able to draw upon his skills to be able to handle that. I think that just comes with drafting the right guys. I think this is a good attempt, especially in the third round, of getting someone who can help us do that."
(On if Sutton will he be playing inside, outside or both)
"We'll take a look. Cameron has probably been someone who has done both. We're looking to see what he can do when he gets here, to see if he can play inside or help us outside. The more versatile he is, the quicker he can get on the field. We'll just have to take a look and see where he best fits when he gets here."
(On if Sutton has safety capabilities too)
"I would probably consider him a true corner at this point. I think he's built like a corner. That would be a stretch right now at this point."
(On if Sutton is a slash-type defensive back)
"For me anyway, I probably think he'd be a slash nickel-corner just referring back to what has been mentioned earlier. I think he's nickel-corner slash, as opposed to corner-safety slash."
(On Sutton being a captain at the University of Tennessee)
"You know leadership is big. We're always looking for that. That means if he thinks of himself as a leader, he probably takes pride in his preparation and his communication skills, so that's always helpful in the secondary. I hope that's true."
ESPN Analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
"When you look at what he can do right away, he can return punts. In 2015, he averaged 18.7 yards per punt return."
ESPN Analyst Todd McShay
"He is really fluid and smooth in coverage. I think everyone was reminded how talent he is when he showed up at the Senior Bowl. He performed as well as any corner there that week. Sutton is a good pick here."
