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.
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. 17and 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.
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.”
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
-UT Athletics
