Chazz Surratt 2021 NFL Draft Profile

The 2021 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Chazz Surratt 2021 NFL Draft Profile.

Chazz Surratt Background

Position: Linebacker

Size: 6-foot-2, 229 pounds

Class: Redshirt Senior

2020 stats: 91 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 interception, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

Surratt had one of the more interesting college careers that saw him transition from quarterback to linebacker. After making the transition to linebacker, Surratt is a solid draft prospect.

He was one of North Carolina’s best prospects out of high school and decided to play for the in-state Tar Heels. Surratt redshirted in his first year on campus, but started seven games at quarterback the year after. North Carolina struggled with a 2-9 record. He didn’t see the field much in 2018 and then changed to linebacker before the 2019 season. In his first season as a linebacker, Surratt registered 115 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He helped the Tar Heels go to their first bowl game in three years, which they won over Temple, to give them a 7-6 record. In 2020, Surratt racked up 91 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and six sacks for the Tar Heels. North Carolina went 8-4 on the season, but lost to Texas A&M in the Orange Bowl.

Going from one position to another and becoming a draft prospect isn’t easy, but Surratt did just that. He is now projected to be a second to fourth round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Strengths

Chazz Surratt

Surratt has solid athletic ability and movement skills. After starting his career off as a quarterback who ccould run, Surratt was able to display that athleticism on the defensive side of the ball. He has solid speed, agility and quickness, which allowed his transition to the position to be so fruitful.

In terms of pursuit, Surratt is one of the best linebackers in the class. He doesn’t alway read plays correctly, but once he figures out where it is going, he flows to the football. Surratt uses his good speed and quickness to go track ball carriers down often. With his athleticism is a motor that does not turn off and allows him to make tackles even when it doesn’t appear possible.

For a newer linebacker, Surratt is solid in coverage. He has the natural athleticism to allow him to stick with his man pretty well for a linebacker. In zone coverage he uses his eyes well. There is still room for improvement because he is so new to the position, but he has a solid start and has decent ball skills as well.

Weaknesses

As mentioned, Surratt is still very new to the position and is still figuring things out. He will sometimes misdiagnose plays or not know how an offense will attack him. With more reps he could turn this weakness into a strength, but he still has a long way to go before he is more consistent with his awareness and instincts.

Surratt had to bulk up to play linebacker, but he is still just 6-foot-2 and 229 pounds. He will need to maintain that weight, if not add to it because of how physically he plays the position. Either way, he will be one of the smaller linebackers in the NFL.

While he improved in this area in 2020, his tackling needs some work. He plays hard, but needs to remember to wrap up and finish tackles. Surratt has allowed some broken tackles and sometimes it is because he is going for a big hit. He would be a more complete linebacker if he was a more sure tackler.

Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Fourth Round Pick

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