ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

ASU’s Will Sutton: ‘I’m doing my job’

Sep 25, 2013, 11:16 PM | Updated: 11:16 pm

TEMPE, Ariz. — Will Sutton does not have a weight problem.

His problem, he said, is the constant double-teaming he’s facing each and every week. That and that alone is why his numbers are down from a year ago.

“People think it’s my weight (he’s listed at 305 pounds), but they don’t understand that teams are gunning for me now,” he said after practice Wednesday. “It’s a lot harder to make plays now when you’ve got double-teams. Even on some double-teams, I’m still in the backfield, it’s just they’re running away. They’re running power away, pulling the guard, blocking back, chopping me. It’s a little tougher.”

Last season, Sutton became ASU’s 18th Consensus All-American after he posted 23.5 tackles for loss, 63 total tackles and 13.0 sacks.

This season, he’s been credited with 0.5 tackles for loss and nine total tackles. He does not have a sack.

“I’m doing my job,” said Sutton, the reigning Pac-12 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year. “Nobody is running through my gap. I’m still getting pressure on the pass. I’m still doing my job. It’s just people look at it as he’s not making plays, so let’s find something, pick something negative, but I’m not even listening to it. I’m just going out here, working every day.

“I don’t get frustrated at all. I know when I look at the film the next day I did my start, so it’s not frustrating at all.”

Also not frustrated is ASU head coach Todd Graham, who has seen the schemes teams employ to contain Sutton change.

“Almost most of the time,” he said when asked how often Sutton faces a double-team. “What I mean by that is whether they’re sliding to him and doubling with the center or the guard, or they’ll put a back on him and chip him, but in all the pass plays he’s been extremely active.”

Sutton gained nearly 20 pounds in the offseason, trying to shed the label of “undersized defensive tackle.” The added weight, however, was described as “bad weight” by one NFL scout. Sutton disagreed.

“(I’m) just as fast; probably not faster, but just as fast (as last season), he said. “Stronger though; a lot stronger. That’s a good thing.”

The one weighty issue Sutton is concerned with is the weight he feels on his shoulders to get his team back in the win column Saturday against USC.

“This controls who’s ahead in the South,” he said. “This game is going to be real big.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona State Football

Head coach Kenny Dillingham...

Vincent DeAngelis

Defense stands out at Arizona State football spring practice with ‘attack the ball’ mentality

The Arizona State defensive line has impressed head coach Kenny Dillingham and defensive coordinator Brian Ward early in spring practice.

3 hours ago

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.

14 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’s Will Sutton: ‘I’m doing my job’