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Overview
The UCF coaching staff looked at Sitton's ability last season and felt he was their most versatile player. Because of injuries up front, he started the team's first six games at his familiar right tackle position. He then shifted to left guard vs. Tulsa, played the next three games at right guard and then returned to right tackle for the rest of the schedule.
The moves had little affect on Sitton, as he not only earned All-Conference USA honors, but greatly impressed pro scouts with his ability to acclimate to all of those changes. It seemed like those moves were a stroke of genius by the staff, as Sitton's drive blocking saw UCF improve its ground game from an average of 139.4 yards per game with 11 touchdowns in 2006, to ranking ninth in the nation while leading the conference with an average of 234.79 yards per contest, producing 41 scores on the ground last year.
At Pensacola Catholic High, Sitton lettered three seasons on the offensive line for head coach Michael Smith. He was named second-team All-State as a senior, adding All-Area first-team accolades. He allowed just three sacks during his last two seasons on the offensive line. He also played on the defensive front wall as a senior, recording more than 50 tackles and six sacks.
As a true freshman at Central Florida, Sitton started four of the 11 games he appeared in at right guard. He took over right tackle chores as a sophomore, starting every game. He had the highest blocking grades among the team's linemen, helping the offense average 401.3 yards per game.
As a junior, Sitton was again stationed at right tackle, leading the UCF blockers in the grading department. He allowed only two sacks on 381 pass plays and paved the way for the team to generate 4,478 yards, an average of 373.2 yards per game.
The All-Conference USA selection's ability to play anywhere the coaches needed him on the offensive line helped the ground game tremendously. With 3,287 yards on the ground, the Golden Knights were not a one-dimensional team. Sitton's pass protection skills were also evident, as the team gained 2,476 passing yards, an average of 176.9 yards per game.
Analysis
Positives: Versatile lineman who has a strong surge off the ball to meet defenders head-on ... Shows the leg drive to get movement in-line for the running game ... Needs to do it more consistently, but when he sinks his hips low and shuffles his feet well on the trap, he has the balance and power to hit on the move, doing a nice job of taking down linebackers in upfield blocking ... Uses his hands effectively to separate from the defender and improved as a senior with his ability to keep his feet moving and adjusting his body when sliding back in pass protection ... Doesn't look nasty, but will compete to finish blocks ... Wasn't a great worker early in his career, but has improved, giving good effort as he has become a respected and vocal team leader ... Wide-body type who is able to maintain position and sustain his blocks while trapping ... Stays up on his blocks, displaying good pop in his hand thrusts coming out of his stance ... Has a good set base, but must improve his ability to drop his hips properly to lock on and engage ... Despite his size, he shows the good finesse as a pass protector with proper arm extension when battling the edge rushers.
Negatives: When he plays too tall in his stance, he struggles to bend his knees ... Has slow feet and labors to change directions and adjust to defensive linemen ... Shows adequate awareness and mental alertness to adjust to defenders ... Has a mean streak, but plays with only an adequate temperament ... Lacks suddenness and shows marginal foot quickness to gain ground off the snap and get into position as a blocker ... Has adequate strength, but shows little explosion and pop on contact to create movement upfront in the run game and to slow pass rushers when he fails to sink his weight ... Possesses the frame and strength to tie up defenders, but struggles to move his feet to sustain blocks ... Has the size to wrestle defenders in the run game, but has marginal foot quickness and athletic ability to get into position ... Keeps his feet on pulls and traps, but lacks suddenness and has marginal body control, change of direction and speed to adjust to blocks ... Lacks the body control to consistently make a block in space and while on the move ... Tends to catch blocks and absorb contact.
Compares To: EDWIN MULITALO-Detroit... Sitton's wide body and drive blocking skills are more suited for an interior position. He might have been born 20 years too late, as he would have been an ideal "Hog" next to Joe Jacoby in the Redskins' front line. Sitton plays with a mauler's mentality. He doesn't look pretty on the move, but has a knack for leveling second-level defenders. Just look at the success of the UCF ground game behind him.
Injury Report
1993: Cut his foot when he stepped on glass.
2003: Cut his face when he fell through a glass window.
2004: Diagnosed with ADHD.
Career Notes
Behind Sitton's interior blocking, the UCF ground game greatly improved from an average of 139.4 yards per game in 2006 to 234.79 yards in 2007 ... Started 42 consecutive contests during his career.
Attended Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic High School ... Lettered three seasons on the offensive line for head coach Michael Smith ... Named second-team All-State as a senior, adding All-Area first-team accolades ... Allowed just three sacks during his last two seasons on the offensive line ... Also played on the defensive front wall as a senior, making more than 50 tackles and six sacks.
Personal
Criminal Justice major ... Son of Loretto Sitton and Allen Kross ... Born 6/16/86 ... Resides in Pensacola, Florida.
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