With impact defensive back a major need on this year's Tennessee football team and in the current recruiting class, the Vols welcomed a commitment from a player they've liked for a while now.
Jonesboro (Ga.) athlete Cameron Sutton committed to UT on an unofficial visit to Knoxville on Tuesday, choosing the Vols over South Carolina, Clemson, Florida, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Pitt and others. Though he is being recruited by various teams at multiple positions, the 6-foot, 175-pound prospect projects as a cornerback in Knoxville.
Sutton has had the Vols out front for a while now -- at least since visiting Knoxville in June -- but he wanted his parents to see the university and campus before making a decision. They liked what they saw on Tuesday, so he went ahead and made it official. Sutton has been clocked at 4.45 in the 40-yard dash and has excelled at several camps this summer.
The Gators extended him an offer, but whether or not that was committable at this point is in question. Florida will have a relatively small DB class and had a few people on its list higher. Tennessee likes Sutton as a player, and he was a take at this point, especially after Brendan Langley pledged to South Carolina a week ago. The Vols are still hoping for a commitment from Mackensie Alexander, and there are several other corners high on their board, too.
Sutton is ranked a three-star prospect by 247 Sports (No. 38 athlete), a three-star by Rivals, three-star by Scout (No. 81 corner) and three-star by ESPN (No. 56 wide receiver). The 247 Sports composite ranking has him as a three-star prospect who is the No. 44-ranked athlete in the nation and No. 50 player in Georgia. As an athlete, he reminds me a bit of Vincent Dallas -- a former three-star UT commitment who many projected as a defensive back but the Vols were recruiting as a wide receiver. He is now at DB. The reason for the comparison is he was a kid who wasn't that highly rated yet had a very solid offer sheet like Sutton.
According to the Jonesboro paper, Sutton had already decided he wanted to pull the trigger for the Vols. He just needed his parents to give him the go-ahead. Sutton is the 16th commitment for Tennessee this season and second defensive back, joining four-star safety Kameron Miles. Ridgeland (Ga.) safety and Tennessee native Vonn Bell is another defensive back high on the Vols' list who is also high on the Vols.
Tennessee welcomes Sutton into the fold. Now, the Vols just hope they receive more good news on Friday. Clarksville (Tenn.) Northeast High School athlete Jalen Reeves-Maybin -- the nation's No. 130 overall player according to 247 -- will choose between five schools later this week. The Vols and Ole Miss each feel good about their chances, and Vanderbilt has a shot, too.
Many signs point to UT being the favorite for Reeves-Maybin, but Ole Miss sites believe JRM will pledge to the Rebels and new coach Hugh Freeze. It will certainly be a development to watch on Friday, but the Vols certainly hope they aren't finished receiving solid news this week.
Welcome to Big Orange Country, Cameron!