Chazz Surratt Bio
Chazz Surratt (born February 16, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he began his career as a quarterback before transitioning to linebacker, and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 234 pounds, Surratt has built a pro career that has taken him through multiple organizations. His journey from record-setting high school quarterback to NFL linebacker gives him a unique football profile across both sides of the ball.
Early Life and Background
Chazz Surratt was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina. He grew up in nearby Denver, North Carolina, where he attended East Lincoln High School. He comes from an athletic family; his younger brother, Sage Surratt, became an All-Conference wide receiver at Wake Forest University.
At East Lincoln, Surratt quickly emerged as one of the most productive quarterbacks in North Carolina high school history. He helped lead the East Lincoln football team to victories in the 2012 2A and 2014 2AA NCHSAA state championship games, establishing a winning foundation early in his career.
A highly regarded recruit, Surratt was a two-time first-team Associated Press (AP) All-State selection. During his senior year, he was named the North Carolina AP Offensive Player of the Year, earned Parade All-America honors, and was recognized as Parade National Player of the Year. He also set the high school state record for most career touchdowns with 229, a remarkable mark that highlighted his offensive impact.
Path to American Football
Recruited by Tar Heel coach Larry Fedora to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to play quarterback, Surratt redshirted during his first season with the program in 2016. He was named the starting quarterback during his redshirt freshman season in 2017, replacing graduate transfer Brandon Harris, who had struggled to begin the season.
Surratt himself battled inconsistency and injury throughout 2017, appearing in nine games and starting seven. After a suspension to start the 2018 season, he became the backup to Nathan Elliott and appeared in only one game before sustaining a season-ending injury against Miami.
When Head Coach Mack Brown returned before the 2019 season, Surratt elected to switch to linebacker rather than transfer to another school for an opportunity to continue playing quarterback. With Sam Howell, Cade Fortin, and Jace Ruder on the roster, his path back to the quarterback depth chart looked narrow, and the position change revived his career.
Chazz Surratt Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
The move to linebacker proved to be a revelation. In his first season at the new position, Surratt started all 13 games in 2019 and posted 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His game-winning interception against rival Duke became a defining early moment at linebacker and earned him first-team All-ACC recognition.
In his redshirt senior season in 2020, Surratt played in 11 games and finished with 91 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He was again named first-team All-ACC and earned first-team All-American honors. Surratt later opted out of the Orange Bowl against Texas A&M to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2021–2022)
Chazz Surratt was selected in the third round (78th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Entering his first NFL training camp, he competed for a starting inside linebacker job against Nick Vigil and Blake Lynch. At the end of the preseason, head coach Mike Zimmer named Surratt a backup inside linebacker behind Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Nick Vigil.
Surratt finished his rookie season playing in nine games, appearing exclusively on special teams with zero defensive snaps. In 2022 training camp, he competed for a backup inside linebacker job against rookie Brian Asamoah, but struggled in the Vikings’ preseason games and was seen as an improper fit in the team’s new defensive scheme. He was waived on August 30, 2022.
New York Jets Era (2022–2024)
On September 1, 2022, Surratt was signed to the practice squad of the New York Jets. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023, securing his place with the organization beyond that season.
San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks (2025)
On May 28, 2025, Surratt signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts. Shortly after, on August 28, 2025, Surratt signed with the Seattle Seahawks, but was waived on November 26, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Surratt brings a rare blend of offensive background and defensive production to the linebacker position. His experience as a starting quarterback gives him strong pre-snap recognition skills, allowing him to diagnose plays quickly and anticipate route concepts. At 6 feet 2 inches and around 234 pounds, he pairs that football intelligence with the physicality to hold up against the run and contribute as a pass rusher when asked.
Notable Events and Milestones
Surratt’s career is filled with unusual milestones, from setting a North Carolina high school record with 229 career touchdowns to being named Parade National Player of the Year. His game-winning interception against rival Duke in 2019 announced his arrival as a linebacker, and his third-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft validated the position change.
Chazz Surratt Career Wins
Chazz Surratt’s win resume spans the team and individual levels. At East Lincoln High School, he was part of two NCHSAA state championship teams in 2012 and 2014, and he earned North Carolina AP Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. In college, Surratt was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection (2019 and 2020) and a first-team All-American in 2020, capping his collegiate run with selections to major postseason award lists.
Other Wins & Performances
Surratt’s standout statistical seasons at North Carolina stand as some of the most productive of his career, including 115 tackles in 2019 and 91 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss in 2020. His transition-era performance against rival Duke, sealed by a game-winning interception, remains one of the signature moments of his career.
Chazz Surratt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chazz Surratt comes from a sports-minded family in Lincolnton, North Carolina. His younger brother, Sage Surratt, played college football as a wide receiver at Wake Forest University, where he earned All-Conference recognition. The brothers’ shared path through elite college football programs reflects a family background rooted in athletics.
Personal Life
Surratt grew up in Denver, North Carolina, and attended East Lincoln High School, the same program where he built his reputation as a record-setting quarterback. His career has been defined by a willingness to adapt, first switching from quarterback to linebacker at North Carolina and later navigating multiple NFL organizations in pursuit of a sustained roster spot.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a period of transition for Chazz Surratt as he continues to seek a stable NFL home. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers in late May, joining the team with hopes of carving out a role at linebacker. However, he was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, ending his short stint in San Francisco.
Just two days later, on August 28, 2025, Surratt signed with the Seattle Seahawks, giving him another opportunity to compete for a roster position. His time in Seattle came to an end when he was waived on November 26, 2025, leaving his next career move uncertain.
Across the 2025 calendar year, Surratt has shown durability and a willingness to contribute on special teams and defense when called upon. With his combination of college production and prior NFL experience, he remains a candidate to land with another team as the season progresses and rosters adjust.