Tennessee cornerback Cameron Sutton is enjoying a stellar sophomore season. Sutton leads Tennessee with three interceptions and has 20 tackles, including three for loss, and ties the SEC lead in passes defended with seven. Both defensive coordinator John Jancek and defensive backs coach Willie Martiez credit Sutton’s instincts for his standout performance this season.

“He has great instincts,” Martinez said. “He’s got very good body control, good awareness. When playing the ball in the air, he’s able to adjust in the blind spot that we say all the time where to anticipate where the ball is coming, where to look, where not to look. That’s something that is hard to coach.

“It’s something you have to have. He has a great understanding. It goes back to what he has been able to do throughout his career, three-sport star, he understands all facets of the game and obviously his athleticism is really what separates him.”

Sutton has used practice as an opportunity to improve this season. Through five games, Sutton has one more interception than he had his entire freshman season and is averaging close to one more tackle per game. The sophomore has started in every game since enrolling at Tennessee in 2013.

“I’m real proud of Cam,” Jancek said. “I love the way he works. He’s business like. He’s not a joker. He comes and he’s ready to work and gets better each and every week.”

In the first few weeks of the 2014 season, Martinez believes he has seen Sutton transform into an improved player.

“He’s more vocal as a leader,” Martinez said. “Like some of the other guys, he understands the defense better, so he’s getting into plays and being productive because he has an idea of how to execute the defense.

“He’s not hesitant. He understands, way before the snap of the ball, what he needs to do and what to anticipate. He’s really athletic. He’s become more of a physical player. You can see that getting off blocks, making tackles and also holding onto his position when he’s playing one-on-one with wide receivers. He’s able to keep a body on a body and play physical.”