August 29, 2017

By Dylan Edwards, SMUMustangs.com

DALLAS (SMU) - After the end of the 2016 season, SMU receiver Courtland Sutton had a decision to make regarding the future of his SMU career.
 
His sophomore campaign was one for the record books, literally. He set the single-game receiving yards mark (252). He set the sophomore receiving yards record (1,246). He accounted for nearly 40 percent of the receiving yards for the Mustang air attack while grabbing 10 of SMU's 22 passing touchdowns. It was a season where no one would have second-guessed him if he decided to move on to the next challenge in the NFL. However, Sutton was not done yet on the Hilltop, on the field or in the classroom.
 
"I had people who had my best interest in mind," Sutton said. "There was never a time throughout the process where I felt pressured to make a decision one way or the other from anybody in my support staff."
 
SMU Head Coach Chad Morris has developed a special culture in his football program. That culture obviously played a role in Sutton's decision to stay at SMU for another season. Morris provided Sutton with information to make an informed decision about his future, and then let his star receiver make the call that was best.
 
"(The coaches) allowed me to make my decision from what I thought would be best for my family and me," Sutton said. "I really appreciate having a coach that didn't make me feel bad if I decided to go to the NFL or making it seem like it was a detriment to myself to come back. He was going to be on my side no matter what."
 
That type of freedom and sense of family is what makes Morris' program a little different than others across the country. Morris has placed forming strong bonds at the top of the list of priorities.
 
"Everyone knows, that's close to our program, that our priority is building relationships with our teammates, coaches, staff and everybody in this building," Sutton said. "Everybody is trying to take care of each other. None of us are actually related, but it seems that way because we have that unity."
 
Sutton's return for this season is most-obviously beneficial when the Mustangs step in-between the lines on game days. Defenses start from behind with having to typically assign two players to him to attempt to slow him down. He's an All-American on Saturdays, but what he does on the other days of the week is just as beneficial. He's a leader and sets an example every day.
 
"(Sutton) coming back has solidified that wide receiver group," Morris said. "His leadership is phenomenal. We know what he does on the field. That's what most people see. What he does off the field is even more impressive. He's such a pleasure to coach and be around. He'd be the first to tell you it's not about him."
 
In December, Sutton is going to receive his diploma from SMU. Football is just a game, after all, and he exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete. Finishing his degree played a large role in his decision to return for another season.
 
"(Graduating) is the biggest thing for me," Sutton said. "I feel like that's something that no one can take from me. It's a blessing that I get to walk across the stage in December. I get to have something to my name so once the air is out of the football, I'll have something to fall back on."
 
One thing that can be certain is that Sutton is not the type of person to settle for falling back. He has a perfectionist mindset that will only lead to more good things for the Brenham, Texas, native.
 
"If you ever feel like you reached a point where you can't grow anymore, then that is a bad place to be."