Alabama Football: Patrick Surtain Island closed to opponents this season

With fall practice set to commence August 3rd, Alabama football needs valuable depth in a position ravaged by NFL departures. New defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi has a potential shutdown cornerback on campus to provide instant support.

Alabama football added the top defensive back prospect in the nation, Patrick Surtain Jr in February after mulling over offers from Clemson, Miami, and LSU. Surtain joins four-star cornerbacks Josh Jobe, Jalyn Amour Davis, and Eddie Smith as the new highly regarded defensive backs on campus.

ESPN ranked Surtain as the fifth-best player in their ESPN 300 and second best player in Florida. His father, former first-team All-Pro NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain, coached him at American Heritage High School near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The father-son combination led the high school to a record of 27-0 and back to back 5A state titles. Surtain did not allow a touchdown reception in two seasons.

Key role in Tide’s secondary

Surtain figures to play a prominent role in the secondary during the 2018 season. He comes to the Crimson Tide ready to contribute immediately. Alabama lost six defensive backfield contributors from last year’s championship squad.

Both starting cornerbacks plus the “Star” (nickel) and “Money” (dime) positions are up for grabs. During A-Day, juniors Trevon Diggs and former LSU signee Saivion Smith manned the corners with Shyheim Carter playing the Star position. Reserves Jared Mayden and Nigel Knott will provide competition for the presumed starters.

Listed at six-foot-two, 202 pounds, Surtain possesses the length to battle against taller receivers. All the tools to become a lockdown cornerback are at his disposal. Long arms, deceptively fast, agile enough to match up with any receiver in the nation and the ability to close half of the playing field away from the quarterback. Smooth athlete able to make plays in man or zone coverage. Check out these highlights from his high school career.

The last true freshman to arrive at Alabama and make an immediate impact his freshman season was Minkah Fitzpatrick. The New Jersey native finished his freshman campaign with 45 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions turned into scores.

The challenge for Surtain is how quickly can he learn and process Alabama football head coach Nick Saban’s complicated defensive scheme. Tasked with getting the youngster up to par with the grizzled veterans is new defensive backs coach Karl Scott. Player comparisons range from prior LSU All American and first-team All-Pro Patrick Peterson to Jacksonville Jaguars lockdown corner Jalen Ramsey. Expectations loom large for this young player but coupled with his father’s wisdom and Saban’s player development, expect gargantuan results from the true freshman.

Between now and Louisville game week, we will publish profiles of lesser-known players who might have significant contributions this season. Check in with us often.