Interview: 4-Star 2021 Tennessee OT Eli Sutton Covers Recruiting and Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

When upside and current abilities meet on the gridiron one gets a four-star talent like Eli Sutton. The 6-7, 278-pound, left tackle further developed his talents against Tennessee Division II-AAA competition in 2018 helping Brentwood Academy to state championship. Those growing skills taking on edge rushers and defensive tackles earned him All-County and second team All-State USA Today honors along with 17 scholarship offers to date. The recruiting process is not being taken lightly by the Class of 2021 recruit. Visits have already been taken in 2019 to Florida, Miami, and Alabama with upcoming trips planned to Louisville, Purdue, and Virginia. With all that Sutton has going on with recruiting, he is a four-sport athlete with the Eagles and gets it done in the classroom with a 3.75 cumulative GPA.

In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down for Sutton for an in-depth look at his junior season and offseason workouts with an extensive one-on-one covering his recruiting process thus far.

Interview

Eli, the Eagles had a dream season capturing a state championship in 2018. What was the run through the season and playoffs like for you personally?

“For me, as a team we are very close. We went through a rough patch in the middle of the season, we went through some tough games. We lost two tough games. One of them was at home to Montgomery Bell (25-24 OT), after we had beaten them the past three years. The other loss was to McCallie (31-27); it was tough to lose that one too. After that, we knew we had to earn it and nothing was going to be given to us. That is when we started rolling. We were hitting our stride at the right time in the playoffs. In the championship game, I think that was our most complete game as a unit.”

What type of offense do the Eagles execute and how are your skills utilized in the trenches?

“We are a modern spread offense running inside and outside zone, some scheme stuff with the quarterback. We are rarely under center, normally we are in the gun. I am a more an athletic tackle, I’m not a true mauler right now. I will beat you with speed and technique. I am rarely in three-point stance other than when I am at tight end. It is hard to run block out of that, but I can make up with it with my athleticism.”

Your footwork is impressive, especially how you do not become sedentary waiting on the defender. How did you see your game evolving with your footwork and overall from non-conference play to district action and then into the playoffs?

“My freshman year at Ensworth, we were in the I-formation. That was a hand in the dirt- run the ball down your throat kind of offense. I was not relying on footwork and quickness, because I could lean on someone and maul them. The idea was not so much technique, but destroy the guy in front of you. At my school now, it is more technique with your hands and head in the right spot, then you will dominate your man. Towards of the end of the year, I was putting everything together. I was putting plays, drives, and series together. As a unit, the semifinal and final game of the season were our best. Our running back won MVP with a big game, I think that speaks to how well we were blocking.”

What are the qualities of your game with your run and pass blocking that help you dominate opposing defenders the way that you do?

“I have been told by coaches that my pad level is high at times, I am working on that this offseason. My main thing is keeping my pad level down and keep improving on my footwork. I have good length, that helps me dominate a defender. Once I get a guy locked out it is over. I can lock them out and drive them.”

You started to touch on this a minute ago, which areas of your game are focused on the most this offseason?

“I am mainly focused on my pad level and keeping my hips down. I did play high last season using my power to keep guys down. My coaches keep telling me if I keep my pad level down I can do that 10-fold.”

This offseason, are you going to any national camps or combines?

“Yes, sir. I am signed up for the Nashville Nike Opening Regional in May.”

With recruiting, how many offers do you have now?

“I have 18 offers.”

Which programs were the last couple to offer?

“Miami and Tennessee.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“Georgia was showing interest but I have not touched based with them in a while, same with TCU. I went to Alabama for a visit, they told me they liked me but that I needed to get stronger and bigger. They said they would come to one of our spring practices. Stanford and Oklahoma State are also supposed to come to one of our spring practices. Ohio State has asked me to go to one of their camps. Auburn and Florida State have asked me to come visit. I camped at Clemson last summer, they want me to get stronger and bigger as well.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits in 2019?

“Yes, sir. I went to Florida and Miami on spring Break, and I have been to Alabama as well. I am scheduled for a visit with Purdue and to Virginia for their spring game. I am possibly going to Louisville soon as well. We have a track meet on their campus. I will try to visit then if I can.”

How did the visit with Florida go?

“That was a good visit. I was supposed to be there on Friday, the day before the big visit for a one-on-one get to know their offensive line coach, Coach (John) Hevesy) and their offensive coordinator, Coach (Billy) Gonzales. I caught a 24-hour bug, so I went to the Junior Day event on Saturday only. I had never been there before. I saw their practice and saw how they operate everything. I saw the beautiful academic center. My dad is focused on academics with me in college. He keeps telling me this is not a four-year decision and that I need to be set up for what happens next after football. Their academics center was impressive.”

What about Miami, how did that go?

“It was incredible. My grandfather lives down there in Fort Lauderdale. I have the utmost respect for the Miami coaches. Coach (Manny) Diaz (head coach) and Coach (Butch) Barry (OL) were very nice. They are young on the offensive line there. Coach Barry is a pro guy. He see how it all translates to the next level and communicates it well. With Coach Diaz, after talking to him, I can see an upward trend at Miami.”

And Alabama, how did that visit go?

“It was good. I was there for an Elite Junior Day. I met with the coaching staff and with Coach (Kyle) Flood (OL) to see what they have to offer. Alabama is an incredible place. As mentioned, they said I needed to get stronger and that I need to be more of a mauler so that I can dominate on run blocks. If I keep getting stronger, I think they will offer me. I left that visit with the utmost respect for Coach (Nick) Saban (head coach) and the coaching staff there. That was an awesome visit.”

Are you playing any other sports for Brentwood Academy?

“Yes, sir. I compete in four sports: football, track, basketball, and I will play baseball this year.”

Busy-busy. What do you do away from working out and football for fun?

“I like to hunt and fish. I hang out with my family, they are a big part of my life. I like hanging out with my little sister, she is the best. I like hanging out with my buddies as well. I am a laid-back guy and easy going.”

Do you have a unique talent that most people would be surprised to find out?

“I’d like to think I can sing, but my parents don’t think so. I can do a one-handed clap. I’m not sure if that is a unique talent though.”

Eli, it was great getting the interview in with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you success on the upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Sutton family; Eli Sutton at Alabama and Miami