2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Chazz Surratt, LB, University of North Carolina

If you want to see a disruptive player on a defense turn on the Clemson versus North Carolina game, and you will see why I love Chazz Surratt.

Chazz Surratt was not always a ground covering linebacker though. In high school at East Lincoln, he was quite the quarterback. Surratt broke the state record for career total yards with 16,593 and also owns the state record for TD responsibility with 229 career scores. He also threw for 3,536 yard and 51 TDs with 10 INTs during his senior season.

So how does a quarterback turn into a top rated linebacker?

Well I am glad you asked. As a redshirt freshman Surratt played quarterback for the Tarheels. He finished with a team high 1,342 passing yards. He also accounted for 13 tocuhdowns for their offense.

In 2018, as a redshirt sophomore, Surratt did not see a lot of action. He only posted 69 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Which was strange after having such a strong redshirt freshman season.

In 2019 though, the transition began. The North Carolina native switched sides of the ball and in his first year was named All-ACC first team. He was also the runner up for ACC Defensive Player of the Year. That speaks volumes to the type of player Surratt is. He finished last season with 31 total pressures, and racked up 115 tackles. He led the Tarheels with 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He is new to the position but man he is not new to football. This kid is a gamer!

NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Notes:

Surratt has great range, the kid can change directions quickly and covers a ton of ground. It is hard not to love the physical traits of Surratt. He stands at 6030 and weighs a little over 230 pounds. He moves extremely well as a linebacker and reminds me a lot of Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano. Both have skills and remember the kid was a quarterback that transitioned to a linebacker. He has to have heart too because most quarterbacks do not like contact. – Damond Talbot, NFL Draft Diamonds owner