Cameron Sutton was not a member of the All-SEC team. The sophomore was snubbed despite excelling in pass coverage against some of the SEC’s top wide receivers.

Sutton has started at cornerback in every game since enrolling at Tennessee in 2013. In two seasons, the Jonesboro, Ga., native has 76 tackles, including eight for loss, five interceptions and one sack.

But Sutton may be the most underrated defensive back in the SEC. Entering his junior season, the cornerback deserves recognition as one of the conference’s best pass defenders and could emerge as an NFL prospect before season’s end.

Sutton fared well against some of the conference’s top pass catchers. Aside from shared coverage against Alabama’s Amari Cooper and South Carolina’s Pharoh Cooper, no SEC wideout recorded more than 100 yards when facing the cornerback.

The sophomore also led the Vols with 16 passes defended, ranking third-most for a single-season in school history. His 25 career passes defended ties for ninth-most in Tennessee history.

Sutton has also provided the Vols with a spark on special teams. The cornerback became the first Tennessee player to return a punt for a touchdown since Cordarrelle Patterson in 2012. Sutton recorded a 76-yard score against Vanderbilt, a game in which he also had two tackles and a pass break-up.

But the sophomore has exceeded expectations since arriving at Tennessee. The former Jonesboro High School standout rated as a consensus three-star, despite recording 1,396 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior. Sutton served several roles for the Cardinals, including cornerback, wide receiver, return specialist and punter.

So excelling in multiple areas and falling under the radar is nothing new for the rising junior. However, Sutton should gain some attention as the top cornerback in a Tennessee defense that continues to improve.

With three blue chip prospects set to join Curt Maggitt and Derek Barnett on the defensive line, the cornerback will have plenty of help upfront and should dominate pass coverage. Sutton also benefits from his counterparts in a talented secondary, including safeties Brian Randolph, Ladarrell McNeil and rising sophomore Todd Kelly Jr.

Sutton should earn more recognition as one of the SEC’s best defensive backs in 2015.