As a sophomore at
Centennial High School in
Corona, California in 2006, he totaled 11
tackles for the
high school football team.[1] Centennial finished the 2007 season with a 13–2 record and ranked 24 by USA Today.[2] Sutton had 48 tackles for the 2007 team.[1] The undefeated 2008 Huskies team won a
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state championship with the help of quarterback
Taylor Martinez and
Vontaze Burfict. The team finished the 2008 season ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today.[3] Sutton totaled 101 tackles, led the state champions with 11.5
quarterback sacks and had four blocked
punts.[1] Sutton was one of five Arizona State signees (three from class of 2008) from Centennial High School along with fellow Class of 2009 recruit Burfict.[4]
When he arrived at Arizona State, Sutton was expected to serve as a backup to returning
Freshman All-AmericanLawrence Guy.[5] As a true freshman for the
2009 Sun Devils, Sutton played 12 games, including 2 starts, at a playing weight of 300 pounds (136 kg).[6] That season, against
Washington State on October 10, 2009, both of his tackles were for a loss resulting in a quarterback sack and a forced
fumble as part of a 27–14 victory.[7] The following season, he dropped 15 pounds (6.8 kg), but he was ruled academically ineligible.[6] By 2010, Arizona had six Centennial players on the roster (
linebackers Burfict, Brandon Magee and Shelly Lyons,
defensive linemen Sutton and Lee Adams and
wide receiver Angelo Magee), who were dubbed the Corona Six-Pack, a reference to the municipality and
Corona Beer.[8] For the
2011 season, he cut down to 261 pounds (118 kg).[6]
In the September 8, 2012 45–14 victory against
Illinois, Sutton had 8 tackles, 3 for a loss (including a quarterback sack).[9] In the September 29, 27–17 victory against
Cal, he had 8 tackles, 4 for a loss (including three quarterback sacks and a forced fumble) and earned
Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week on October 1.[10][11] In the following game, which resulted in a 51–17 victory against
Colorado on October 11, Sutton posted 3
tackles for a loss, including 2 quarterback sacks.[12] In the December 29,
2012 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against
Navy, Sutton had 3.5 tackles for a loss, including 2.5 sacks.[13]
On January 8, 2013, Sutton announced that he will return to
Arizona State University to play out his senior year.[33] For the season, he had 10.5 tackles for a loss, including 3 sacks, and repeated Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Pac-12 Team.[34] Following the regular season, he earned first team All-American recognition by the AP,[35] CBSSports.com,[36]USA Today,[37] second team recognition by Athlon Sports,[38] and honorable mention recognition by Sports Illustrated.[39]
Sutton was selected by the
Chicago Bears with the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the
2014 NFL draft.[42][43] He signed a four-year deal on May 15, 2014 which rendered the Bears to be the first team to sign their whole draft class.[44] On September 7, he posted his first tackle in the season opener against the
Buffalo Bills.[45] In Week 3 against the
New York Jets, he made his first career start while
Jeremiah Ratliff was enduring the effects of a concussion.[46]
Sutton suffered an ankle injury in Week 10 of the 2016 season and was placed on
injured reserve on November 15, 2016.[47] On May 11, 2017, he was released by the Bears.[48]
Minnesota Vikings
On May 17, 2017, Sutton signed with the
Minnesota Vikings.[49] He was released on September 2, 2017.[50]
On October 15, 2019 Sutton was selected by the
Seattle Dragons of the
XFL in the
2020 XFL Draft.[56] He was named to the mid-season All-XFL team after recording 15 tackles and a sack.[57] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[58]