Some high school stars fizzle out at the higher levels, but others keep rising.
Thus far, Patrick Surtain II has proven to be the latter.
The former American Heritage star graduated from one of the nation’s best high school prospects to college star, and he took the next step on Thursday night. The Denver Broncos selected the former Patriot with the ninth pick of the first round of the NFL draft.
“I think it’s … a new journey, a new stepping stone,” Surtain said. “But it doesn’t stop from here. I’ve still got more work to do. I’m still trying to go in there and work, and I’m trying to be known as one of the best in the game. I’ve just got to still keep on working and still strive for it, you know? There’s more work to be done.”
Surtain has an NFL pedigree, as evidenced by his name. The Miami Dolphins drafted his father, Pat Surtain Sr., in the second round of the 1998 draft, and he rewarded the Dolphins by making three Pro Bowls in his tenure in Miami.
“I learned a lot from (Pat Surtain Sr.),” Surtain said. “Of course, he’s a 12-year pro. So just gaining his insight on things, getting his perspective on things, I think it helped me a lot on the field, and I feel like his game translates a lot to my game. Just learning from him, him teaching me different techniques — it definitely helped shape me up for the next level.”
Surtain received coaching from plenty of former standout defensive backs. Mike Rumph, a former first-round draft pick and current Miami Hurricanes cornerbacks coach, was the Patriots’ head coach when Surtain arrived. After Rumph’s departure following the 2015 season, Surtain’s father was named the team’s head coach. Wilson, who played cornerback for Miami, coached him as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator from 2015-17.
“I always felt like Pat would have that opportunity,” former American Heritage defensive coordinator Chad Wilson said. “You could see the way he was growing, you know the pedigree, you know what his father had done in this league, so you know physically and mentally he was getting that stuff.”
The Patriots cornerback had a dominant career in Plantation. He was a first-team All-County selection as a sophomore, junior and senior. He had five interceptions and played on a dominant defense that won back-to-back state titles and 28 straight games in 2016 and 2017.
“You could tell early that he was the goods,” Wilson said.
With Surtain’s success on the field came accolades and attention off of it. The Patriots star was a U.S. Army All-American and earned a five-star ranking in 247Sports’ composite rankings. To date, he is the second-highest-rated Broward County recruit in 247Sports’ composite rankings — which go back to 2000 — earning a 99.73 rating.
As the top-rated cornerback in the nation, Surtain effectively had his choice of college programs, and he signed with Alabama. Surtain developed into arguably the top cornerback in the nation during his time in Tuscaloosa.
In three years with the Crimson Tide, Surtain had 117 tackles, 27 pass deflections, four interceptions and four forced fumbles. As a senior, he had 38 tackles, one interception and 12 pass deflections. He was a unanimous first-team All-American and was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Surtain joins a defense that already has several veteran cornerbacks, and he thinks he can learn from players like Bryce Callahan, Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller.
“I benefit a lot, learning from those guys,” Surtain said. “Very experienced guys in the NFL. Just picking their brains and learning from them each and every day. I think it’ll be a benefit for me.”
Although the Broncos’ depth chart is crowded, Surtain said he thinks he can get on the field quickly.
“I think I could come in Day 1 and just make an impact on the team by my playstyle, by my play traits,” Surtain said. “I think I can come in and make an immediate impact.”
