He wanted to improve his technique at cornerback, among other things, but Patrick Surtain II has produced a junior season where he has been named a semifinalist for multiple awards.
A native of Plantation, Fla., the former five-star prospect in Alabama’s 2018 signing class is a candidate for Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe and Lott IMPACT honors. After his father, Patrick Surtain Sr., played 11 seasons in the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins (1998-04) and Kansas City Chiefs (2005-08), Surtain is ready for the next step.
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Since the second half of the Georgia matchup, the Crimson Tide has been much better on defense and Surtain is the reason behind its improvement. He is regarded as one of the top coverage corners via Pro Football Focus, especially when one considers he has allowed just one touchdown pass on him all year.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder is assisting a defense that has surrendered 74 total points (12.3 ppg) in the last six games, while forcing 11 turnovers. Surtain recorded his first interception of the season in a meeting against Mississippi State, which resulted in a 25-yard touchdown and it gave the Tide a 41-0 win on Halloween night.
He stands at 27 total tackles — two for loss — seven pass breakups and two quarterback hurries.
Surtain is happy to be recognized for individual accolades, but his heart wants one thing.
“I am looking forward to winning a national championship with my teammates,” he said on Tuesday.
He plans on finishing the season strong and per Surtain, Pete Golding has helped the defense look more focused.
“He has helped us on the little things: communication, flying around to the ball and being as one sound in unison,” Surtain said of Golding. “The young guys go to him for extra film study, even the older guys, we are all locked into one particular thing and that’s becoming one of the most dominant defenses in college football.”
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With its recent surge, Surtain and the Tide lead the Southeastern Conference for scoring defense (18.3 ppg) and are second for total defense (357 ypg). Defensively, Alabama is starting to peak at the right time and it will need marquee performances against elite offenses in the postseason.
Surtain currently projects as a first-rounder for the 2021 NFL Draft. Alabama has its regular season finale versus Arkansas on Saturday, and then it will head to Atlanta to battle the Florida Gators for the SEC Championship.
Before he claims his first College Football Playoff National Championship, Surtain wants his second SEC title ring.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
