Tennessee coaches have said at least twice this preseason camp that freshman cornerback Baylen Buchanan’s focus and work ethic reminds them of a young Cameron Sutton.

Sutton said before Sunday’s practice on Haslam Field that he “definitely” understands why coaches have made that comparison.

Tennessee’s star senior All-SEC cornerback and All-America return specialist said he’s loved everything he’s seen from Buchanan the past couple of months heading into Thursday’s home opener against Appalachian State in Neyland Stadium.

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“I would say so, yeah, definitely,” Sutton said. “He’s another guy that comes to work each and every day. Never heard him complain, not one time about whatever his reps are or whatever his job was out there on the field. He’s always coming to me, asking questions. He’s around the coaches, asking questions. He does what he’s supposed to do academics-wise and off-the-field-wise. Haven’t had any trouble from him or anything like that.

“So I would definitely say so.”

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound son of former NFL star defensive back Ray Buchanan wasn’t the most highly regarded defensive back in Tennessee’s class. Not even close. But the nation’s No. 687 overall prospect and No. 60 cornerback prospect in the 2016 industry-generated 247Sports Composite impressed coaches and teammates from Day One, becoming the first newcomers from his class to have his black helmet stripe removed.

Buchanan and fellow true freshman Marquill Osborne — a January enrollee who also had a good preseason camp — are listed as co-second-teamers behind Sutton at left cornerback heading into Thursday’s game.

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