7. Cam Sutton, CB/PR
Injuries marred what could’ve been a truly special career for Cam Sutton, but even with the injury that held him back in his senior season, Sutton finished his UT career as the owner of two Tennessee records and was one of the better defensive backs to play at Tennessee this decade.
Based on his play as a defender alone, Sutton warrants inclusion on this list. He finished his career as Tennessee’s all-time leader in passes defended with 37 (30 pass breakups and seven interceptions), and he started all 45 games he played in, beginning his career as a true freshman starter and never relinquishing that starting spot.
But Sutton wasn’t just a strong cornerback; he was one of the best punt returners in school history.
Sutton’s 467 punt return yards in 2015 are the most in a single season in UT history, surpassing Bobby Majors’ 457 yards in 1969. His 14.6 yards per return in a career is the second-best in school history, trailing only Burt Rechichar’s (1949-51) 14.7 yard per return average. Sutton returned three punts for touchdowns, which ties him for the second-most in a career. His two punt return scores in 2015 is tied for the most in a single season in school history.
If not for an injury in the middle of his senior season in 2016, there’s no telling what other records Sutton would own at Tennessee. Even as his career stands with that, he’s one of the better defenders to play for UT this decade.
