ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

ESPN: ASU’s Will Sutton hurt stock during Senior Bowl

Jan 27, 2014, 11:52 PM | Updated: 11:55 pm

Arizona State defensive tackle Will Sutton is one of the more polarizing players in the NFL Draft pool.

On one hand, he is the reining two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, a player who regularly commanded double teams, forcing opposing offenses to game plan for him.

On the other hand, he’s someone whose numbers took a significant dip from 2012 to 2013, causing some to wonder if he gained too much weight in the offseason.

Apparently that is still the case, as a trio of ESPN draft analysts concluded that Sutton’s stock took a hit over a week of Senior Bowl practices along with the game itself.

In an ESPN Insider piece recapping who helped themselves and who hurt themselves, Sutton’s name came up on the wrong side of things.

Sutton had four tackles in Saturday’s game, including a tackle for loss, but the bottom line with him is that at 6-0 and 315 pounds he is carrying too much weight on his frame and doesn’t appear nearly explosive as he did when he played at a lighter weight in 2012. He still plays with an edge and flashes heavy hands, but offensive linemen reached and engulfed him when he failed to win initially. If he can shed some weight and post a strong 10-yard split at the combine, it will help his cause. He’ll also need to interview well and ease concerns about his conditioning.

Sutton tallied 13 sacks in 2012 but had just four in 2013, causing many to wonder if he’d be an impact player at the next level.

Of course, the opinions of scouts and analysts are always a mixed bag, so just because some think Sutton is too heavy does not mean everyone feels the same way.

But with a few months left between now and the draft, it appears Sutton may still have some work to do with regards to his stock.

Arizona State Football

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college footb...

Vincent DeAngelis

Kenny Dillingham talks Jaden Rashada injury, revamped roster ahead of spring ball

ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham addressed quarterback Jaden Rashada's injury, revamped roster and NIL ahead of start of spring ball

6 days ago

Jaden Rashada on the football field...

Arizona Sports

Report: ASU’s Jaden Rashada dealing with thumb injury, will miss spring ball

ASU's Jaden Rashada won't be a full participant in spring ball due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand suffered earlier in the year.

7 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

13 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

13 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

14 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

18 days ago

ESPN: ASU’s Will Sutton hurt stock during Senior Bowl