Will Sutton

For the English footballer, see Will Sutton (footballer). For other people with similar names, see William Sutton.

Will Sutton
refer to caption
Sutton playing for the Chicago Bears in 2014
No. 93
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1991-10-03) October 3, 1991 (age 33)
Corona, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:289 lb (131 kg)
Career information
High school:Centennial (Corona)
College:Arizona State
NFL draft:2014 / round: 3 / pick: 82
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:60
Pass deflections:7
Stats at Pro Football Reference

William Sutton (born October 3, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

As a member of the 2012 team, Sutton earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American selection. In high school, he led the undefeated 2008 Centennial High School California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state championship football team in quarterback sacks. He is the son of Mickey Sutton.

Early life

As a sophomore at Centennial High School in Corona, California in 2006, he totaled 11 tackles for the high school football team.[1] Centennial finished the 2007 season with a 13–2 record and ranked 24 by USA Today.[2] Sutton had 48 tackles for the 2007 team.[1] The undefeated 2008 Huskies team won a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state championship with the help of quarterback Taylor Martinez and Vontaze Burfict. The team finished the 2008 season ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today.[3] Sutton totaled 101 tackles, led the state champions with 11.5 quarterback sacks and had four blocked punts.[1] Sutton was one of five Arizona State signees (three from class of 2008) from Centennial High School along with fellow Class of 2009 recruit Burfict.[4]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Will Sutton
DT 		Corona, CA Centennial High School (CA) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 261.5 lb (118.6 kg) 5.04 Jan 18, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 33 (DT)   Rivals: 42 (DT), 40 (CA)  ESPN: 68 (DT)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2009 Arizona State Football Commits". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  • "2009 Arizona State Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  • "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.

College career

When he arrived at Arizona State, Sutton was expected to serve as a backup to returning Freshman All-American Lawrence Guy.[5] As a true freshman for the 2009 Sun Devils, Sutton played 12 games, including 2 starts, at a playing weight of 300 pounds (136 kg).[6] That season, against Washington State on October 10, 2009, both of his tackles were for a loss resulting in a quarterback sack and a forced fumble as part of a 27–14 victory.[7] The following season, he dropped 15 pounds (6.8 kg), but he was ruled academically ineligible.[6] By 2010, Arizona had six Centennial players on the roster (linebackers Burfict, Brandon Magee and Shelly Lyons, defensive linemen Sutton and Lee Adams and wide receiver Angelo Magee), who were dubbed the Corona Six-Pack, a reference to the municipality and Corona Beer.[8] For the 2011 season, he cut down to 261 pounds (118 kg).[6]

In the September 8, 2012 45–14 victory against Illinois, Sutton had 8 tackles, 3 for a loss (including a quarterback sack).[9] In the September 29, 27–17 victory against Cal, he had 8 tackles, 4 for a loss (including three quarterback sacks and a forced fumble) and earned Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week on October 1.[10][11] In the following game, which resulted in a 51–17 victory against Colorado on October 11, Sutton posted 3 tackles for a loss, including 2 quarterback sacks.[12] In the December 29, 2012 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against Navy, Sutton had 3.5 tackles for a loss, including 2.5 sacks.[13]

Sutton was among the 2012 national statistical leaders in both sacks and tackles for a loss,[14][15] and he helped the Arizona State defense rank among the national leaders in team sacks.[16] He earned first-team All-Pac-12 defensive lineman recognition for the 2012 Pac-12 Conference football season by the Pac-12 head coaches as well as by CBS Sports.[17][18] That season, he was named the 2012 Pac-12 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year by the conference coaches as well as the conference Defensive Player of the Year by CBS Sports.[19][20] He was then selected to various 2012 College Football All-America Teams, earning consensus All-American recognition. He was the fifteenth different Sun Devil and first since Thomas Weber in 2007 to earn the honor.[21] The following organizations chose him to their first team: American Football Coaches Association,[22] the Associated Press (AP),[23] Athlon Sports,[24] CBSSports.com,[25] Lindy's Sports,[26] Sporting News,[27] Sports Illustrated.[28] He was also chosen to the second team by FoxSportsNext.com (formerly Scout.com) and Walter Camp Football Foundation.[29][30][31] He was also the co-winner of the Morris Trophy, by vote of the Pac-12 conference's offensive linemen.[32]

On January 8, 2013, Sutton announced that he will return to Arizona State University to play out his senior year.[33] For the season, he had 10.5 tackles for a loss, including 3 sacks, and repeated Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Pac-12 Team.[34] Following the regular season, he earned first team All-American recognition by the AP,[35] CBSSports.com,[36] USA Today,[37] second team recognition by Athlon Sports,[38] and honorable mention recognition by Sports Illustrated.[39]

Statistics

Year Team GP GS TT Solo Ast TFL Sack PDef INT FR FF
2009 Arizona State 12 3 17 6 11 3 1 0 0 0 1
2011 Arizona State 13 12 33 19 14 5½ 2½ 1 0 0 0
2012 Arizona State 12 12 63 41 22 23½ 13 5 0 0 3
Totals [40] 37 27 113 66 47 32 16½ 6 0 0 4

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m) 		303 lb
(137 kg) 		31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 5.36 s 4.82 s 7.93 s 28.5 in
(0.72 m)		 8 ft 3 in
(2.51 m)		 24 reps
All values from NFL Combine[41]

Chicago Bears

Sutton was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft.[42][43] He signed a four-year deal on May 15, 2014 which rendered the Bears to be the first team to sign their whole draft class.[44] On September 7, he posted his first tackle in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.[45] In Week 3 against the New York Jets, he made his first career start while Jeremiah Ratliff was enduring the effects of a concussion.[46]

Sutton suffered an ankle injury in Week 10 of the 2016 season and was placed on injured reserve on November 15, 2016.[47] On May 11, 2017, he was released by the Bears.[48]

Minnesota Vikings

On May 17, 2017, Sutton signed with the Minnesota Vikings.[49] He was released on September 2, 2017.[50]

San Francisco 49ers

On July 25, 2018, Sutton signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[51] He was released on August 31, 2018.[52]

Arizona Hotshots

On September 14, Sutton was revealed as a new signing for the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football for the 2019 season.[53] The league ceased operations in April 2019.[54] Sutton was credited with 15 tackles, a sack, and two pass knockdowns in 8 games.[55]

Seattle Dragons

On October 15, 2019 Sutton was selected by the Seattle Dragons of the XFL in the 2020 XFL Draft.[56] He was named to the mid-season All-XFL team after recording 15 tackles and a sack.[57] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[58]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "90 Will Sutton". TheSunDevils.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  2. ^ "Miami Northwestern crowned Super 25 champion", USA Today, December 26, 2007
  3. ^ "Fort Lauderdale's Aquinas finishes season atop Super 25", USA Today, December 22, 2008
  4. ^ Kosmider, Nick (February 11, 2009). "ASU adds wide receiver to recruiting class". State Press. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  5. ^ Metcalfe, Jeff (August 5, 2009). "Five key positions for ASU football". The Arizona Republic. AZCentral.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c Haller, Doug (August 6, 2011). "ASU's Will Sutton hopes to make up for lost season: Defensive tackle missed last season because of academic issues". The Arizona Republic. AZCentral.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  7. ^ "ASU vs Washington State (Oct 10, 2009)". TheSunDevils.com. October 10, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  8. ^ Klein, Gary (November 4, 2010). "Arizona State welcomes these border crossers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  9. ^ "Illinois vs Arizona State (Sep 08, 2012)". TheSunDevils.com. September 8, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  10. ^ "Mannion, Sutton and Dugandzic named Pac-12 players of the week". Pac-12.com. October 1, 2012. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  11. ^ "Taylor Kelly keys Arizona State's victory against Cal". ESPN. Associated Press. September 29, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  12. ^ "Arizona State vs Colorado (Oct 11, 2012)". TheSunDevils.com. October 11, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  13. ^ "Taylor Kelly, Arizona State rout Navy in Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl". ESPN. December 29, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  14. ^ "Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Player Report: Pass Sacks". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  15. ^ "Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Player Report: Tackles for Loss". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  16. ^ "Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Team Report: Pass Sacks". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  17. ^ "Pac-12 Football Awards and All-Conference Team Announced". Pac-12.com. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  18. ^ Gould, Jon (December 2, 2012). "CBSSports.com's Pac-12 All-Conference Team". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  19. ^ "Sutton Named Pat Tillman Defensive Player Of The Year, 14 Others Earn Conference Honors: Will Sutton is the fifth Sun Devil to earn conference defensive player of the year recognition". TheSunDevils.com. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  20. ^ "Sutton Named CBSSports.com Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year: Sutton also earned the Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award". TheSunDevils.com. CBS Interactive. December 4, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  21. ^ "Sutton Named To Walter Camp All-America Team, Becomes Sun Devils' 18th Consensus All-American: Sutton is the 13th Sun Devil to earn Walter Camp All-America honors". TheSunDevils.com. CBS Interactive. December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  22. ^ "AFCA Announces 2012 FBS All-America Team". American Football Coaches Association. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  23. ^ Fornelli, Tom (December 11, 2012). "AP releases 2012 All-America Teams". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  24. ^ "Sutton Named To Athlon Sports All-America Team: This is Sutton's third First Team All-America selection this postseason". TheSunDevils.com. CBS Interactive. December 4, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  25. ^ "CBSSports.com 2012 College Football All-America Team". CBS Sports. December 3, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  26. ^ "Lindy's announces its 2012 All-America Teams". Lindy's Sports. December 7, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  27. ^ "College football All-Americans: Sporting News' take on the best". Sporting News. December 5, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  28. ^ "SI.com's 2012 All-America Team". Sports Illustrated. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  29. ^ "FoxSportsNext.com 2012 All-America Team". Scout.com. December 7, 2012. Archived from the original on December 7, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  30. ^ "Pac-12 on Walter Camp All-America team". ESPN. December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  31. ^ "Walter Camp 123rd All-America Team". Walter Camp Football Foundation. December 6, 2012. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  32. ^ "Sutton, Yankey win Morris Awards". ESPN. December 11, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  33. ^ Gemmell, Kevin (January 8, 2013). "Will Sutton return to Arizona State". ESPN. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  34. ^ "Pac-12 football awards and all-conference teams announced". Pac-12 Conference. December 2, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  35. ^ "AP All-America Team, List". Associated Press. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  36. ^ "Winston, Donald lead CBSSports.com College Football All-America team". CBS Sports. December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  37. ^ "USA TODAY Sports' All-America college football first team". USA Today. December 10, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  38. ^ Lassan, Steven (December 12, 2013). "College Football's 2013 Postseason All-America Team". Athlonsports.com | Expert Predictions, Picks, and Previews. Athlon Sports Communications. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  39. ^ Lassan, Steven (December 17, 2013). "Jameis Winston, Aaron Donald lead SI.com's 2013 All-America Team". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  40. ^ Will Sutton Profile Archived April 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. thesundevils.com. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  41. ^ "Will Sutton Stats, News and Video - DT". NFL.com.
  42. ^ Dickerson, Jeff (May 9, 2014). "Bears pick DT Will Sutton in 3rd". ESPN. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  43. ^ Bowen, Matt (May 10, 2014). "Bears 3rd-round pick could prove a steal: If Will Sutton can keep weight down he can be explosive player with quickness off ball that allows him to be disruptive". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  44. ^ Alper, Josh (May 15, 2014). "Bears sign Will Sutton to wrap up draft class". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  45. ^ "Bills 23 (1-0, 1-0 away); Bears 20 (0-1, 0-1 home)". ESPN. September 7, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  46. ^ Finley, Patrick (September 22, 2014). "Bears rookie DT Will Sutton gets off to bad start". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  47. ^ Mayer, Larry (November 15, 2016). "Bears put Long on IR, activate Wilson". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017.
  48. ^ Mayer, Larry (May 11, 2017). "Bears release Eddie Royal, three others". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018.
  49. ^ "Vikings Sign Former Bears DT Will Sutton". Vikings.com. May 17, 2017. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017.
  50. ^ "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Roster". Vikings.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018.
  51. ^ "49ers Announce Several Roster Moves". 49ers.com. July 25, 2018.
  52. ^ "49ers Trade for OL Shon Coleman, Cut 12 Players". 49ers.com. August 31, 2018.
  53. ^ "Former ASU Standouts Will Sutton, Carl Bradford sign with new pro football league". azcentral.com. September 14, 2018.
  54. ^ Rothstein, Michael; Wickersham, Seth (June 13, 2019). "Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  55. ^ "Will Sutton III".
  56. ^ "XFL draft tracker: How the Seattle Dragons roster is shaping up". October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  57. ^ "Midseason All-XFL Team". XFL.com. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  58. ^ Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
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