Chazz Surratt 6’2 227 LB- UNC, 2021 NFL Draft Preview
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What makes this player NASTY…(Strengths): Former QB who made a successful transition to the LB spot. Excellent closing speed. Looks like a 4.5 sprinter in lateral pursuit (3rd QTR/14:04, NC State ’19). Fluid hips. DB-like footwork breaking on out routes (PBU vs. Long, 3rd and 6, Boston College ’20). Has the ability to pick up running backs on option routes and/or cover slot receivers in short areas (Clemson ’19). Pushes the accelerator button to go forward when rushing the QB in space. As an edge rusher, he works to counter the OT back inside (1st QTR, Pittsburgh ’19). Shoots gaps with an instinctive feel (TFL, NC State ’19). Hustles to the football and plays through the whistle. Closes air in instant bursts (QB hit, 1st QTR/7:17, Virginia Tech ’20) and reacts favorably to handle bootleg concepts (Flowers, Boston College ’20). Special teams contributor. Plays on the kickoff team as well as the field goal block unit.
Weaknesses: Footwork gets him caught up when OL get up to him. At times, he gets caught in the wrong gap or over-purses. Needs to get more violent with hands in order to get off blocks of bigger players. 30″ arms. Struggles mightily vs. uncovered OGs (3rd and 2, 2nd QTR/15:00, Boston College ’20). Crosses over and the OC moves him laterally (3rd and 5, 4th QTR, Virginia Tech ’20). As he has tracked the ball laterally, he has been lifted off of his feet (Darrishaw, 1st QTR/4:06, Virginia Tech ’20). Can be picked up by backs when blitzing (Clemson ’19). On some of his blitzes, he gets caught and washed with high pad level (looks like a former QB, pancaked to ground, 1st QTR/7:10, Virginia Tech ’20). Fails to wrap tackle vs. slippery WRs (2nd QTR/0:52, Syracuse ’20). As an exchange LB, he overruns some tackle falling back to tackle. He has gotten hurt making contact hitting players (1st QTR/7:47, Syracuse ’20). Played in one game in 2018. One of 13 Tar Heels suspended for selling team issued shoes in 2018 and missed four games (https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article216175450.html). Missed seven games later that year with a right wrist injury.
Other Notes: Attended East Lincoln High School (NC.) • Named state Gatorade Player of the Year and broke the state record for career total yards (16,593) • First-Team All-ACC (2019) and runner up for ACC Defensive Player of the Year • Passed for eight touchdowns, six interceptions and 1352 yards as a QB in two seasons (10 games) • Brother, Sage, plays wide receiver for Wake Forest • 2017 (9 games): (9 gms, 7 sts): Completed 107-of-183 passes (58.5%) for 1,342 yards, 8 TDs and 3 INTs; 210 yards rushing and 5 TDs • 2018 (One game): 4-of-10 (40%) for 10 yards and 3 INTs; 69 yards rushing and one TD • 17 tackles, QB sack, 2 TFLs vs. Virginia Tech on 10/19/19 • 2019 (1st Team All-ACC): 115 tackles, 6.5 QB sacks, 15 TFLs, FF, INT and 3 PBUs • 2020 (11 sts, 1st Team All-ACC): 91 tackles, 6 QB sacks, 7.5 TFLs,, FF, FR, INT and 3 PBUs • Career stats: 207 tackles, 12.5 QB sacks, 22.5 TFLs, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 2 INTs, 5 PBUs; Completed 111-of-193 passes (57.5%) for 1,352 yards, 8 TDs and 6 INTs; 95 caries for 279 yards (2.9 YPC) and 6 TDs • 2021 Senior Bowl measurements: 9 1/2″ hands, 30″ arms, 76″ wingspan • 2021 UNC Pro Day: 25 reps-225 lbs, 4.6 40-yd, 31 1/2″ VJ, 7.07 3-cone, 4.2 20-yd SS
Time to get NASTY (Our Summary): Surratt is a converted QB and has limited reps as a linebacker although he did play safety in high school. If you go back and watch the 2019 Clemson tape, Surratt jumps off the screen. Clemson’s offense stresses the eye discipline of opposing linebackers with its formation variety (bunch sets, etc..), which can lead to defenders overthinking and playing a step slow. Surratt didn’t have that problem and arguably played one of his better games. The Tar Heels converted QB will be judged by his ability to learn the intricacies of the position, but in a short time he has shown the raw talent is there.
DN Grade: 5.85 (3rd Round)
Big Board Rank: 132
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