Chazz Surratt Bio
Chazz Surratt (born February 16, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he began his career as a quarterback before making a successful transition to linebacker. Surratt was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 78th overall pick. He has also played for the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers during his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Chazz Surratt was born on February 16, 1997, in Lincolnton, North Carolina. He attended East Lincoln High School in Denver, North Carolina, where he established himself as an exceptional high school quarterback. Surratt led the East Lincoln football team to victories in the 2012 2A and 2014 2AA NCHSAA state championship games.
A two-time first-team Associated Press All-State selection, Surratt earned North Carolina AP Offensive Player of the Year honors during his senior year. He was also named Parade All-America and Parade National Player of the Year. Surratt set the high school state record for most career touchdowns with 229, showcasing the athletic ability that would later translate to his success as a linebacker.
Path to Linebacker
Surratt was recruited by then-Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora to play quarterback at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He redshirted during his first season with the program in 2016. During his redshirt freshman season in 2017, Surratt was named the starting quarterback after replacing graduate transfer Brandon Harris who struggled early in the season. He appeared in nine games, starting seven, dealing with inconsistency and injuries throughout the year.
After a suspension to start the 2018 season, Surratt 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 faced a difficult decision. The program had just signed highly touted quarterback Sam Howell and also had Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder on the roster, leaving slim chances to compete for the quarterback position.
Surratt elected to make the switch to linebacker rather than transfer to another school. The move proved transformative for his football career. He had an outstanding redshirt junior season in 2019, highlighted by a game-winning interception against rival Duke. Surratt started and played in all 13 games, recording 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He earned first-team All-ACC honors at linebacker for his performance.
Chazz Surratt Career
Minnesota Vikings (2021–2022)
Surratt was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round with the 78th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Entering his inaugural training camp, he competed for a starting inside linebacker position against Nick Vigil and Blake Lynch. At the conclusion of the preseason, head coach Mike Zimmer named Surratt a backup inside linebacker behind Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Nick Vigil. He finished his rookie season playing in nine games, exclusively on special teams with zero defensive snaps.
In 2022, Surratt competed for a backup inside linebacker job in training camp against rookie Brian Asamoah. However, he struggled during the Vikings preseason games and was seen as an improper fit in the team’s new defensive scheme. The Vikings waived Surratt on August 30, 2022.
New York Jets (2022–2024)
Following his release from Minnesota, Surratt was signed to the practice squad by the New York Jets on September 1, 2022. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023, securing his place on the roster for the 2023 season. Surratt spent the 2022 through 2024 seasons with the Jets organization, serving as a depth player at the linebacker position. During his time with the Jets, he appeared in games as a rotational defender and special teams contributor.
San Francisco 49ers (2025)
Surratt signed with the San Francisco 49ers on May 28, 2025. He competed for a roster spot during the offseason program and training camp. However, he was released on August 26 as part of the team’s final roster cuts, concluding his brief tenure with the organization.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2025–Present)
On August 28, 2025, Surratt signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He immediately joined the team’s linebacker rotation and contributed on defense and special teams. On November 26, 2025, Surratt was placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans. He was activated on February 5, 2026, ahead of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX matchup against the New England Patriots. Following the Super Bowl appearance, Surratt re-signed with the Seahawks on March 18, 2026.
Playing Style and Strengths
Surratt brings versatility to the linebacker position, having made the successful transition from quarterback. His football IQ and understanding of offensive schemes, developed during his time under center, provide him with unique instincts when reading plays. He demonstrates solid tackling ability and shows effectiveness in pursuit. His experience playing multiple positions at the collegiate level allows him to adapt quickly to different defensive responsibilities and assignments.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Surratt’s career came with his return from injured reserve to participate in Super Bowl LX. This championship appearance marked the pinnacle of his professional career to that point. His game-winning interception against Duke during his redshirt junior season at North Carolina remains one of his signature collegiate performances, demonstrating his playmaking ability at the linebacker position.
Chazz Surratt Career Highlights
Surratt’s collegiate career produced impressive statistics and accolades before he transitioned to the NFL. His move from quarterback to linebacker represented a remarkable positional transformation that enabled him to reach the professional level.
College Achievements
Surratt earned First-team All-American honors in 2020, recognizing his outstanding play at the linebacker position. He was also named First-team All-ACC in both 2019 and 2020, establishing himself as one of the top linebackers in the conference. During his two seasons as a linebacker at North Carolina, he combined for 206 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries across 24 games.
Professional Career Summary
Through his first four NFL seasons, Surratt appeared in multiple games across his stints with the Vikings and Jets. He has primarily contributed on special teams while developing as a rotational linebacker. His career NFL statistics include 37 total tackles as of the 2024 season. The highlight of his professional career came when he was activated for Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks.
| Competition Level | Category | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| College | All-American | First-team All-American (2020) |
| College | All-Conference | 2× First-team All-ACC (2019, 2020) |
| Professional | NFL Draft | 3rd Round, 78th Overall (2021) |
| Professional | Championship | Super Bowl LX Participant (2026) |
Chazz Surratt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While there is no documented racing lineage in Surratt’s family, athletic achievement runs through his bloodline. His younger brother, Sage Surratt, was an All-Conference wide receiver at Wake Forest University. The brothers both achieved collegiate success in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with Sage earning recognition as a standout pass-catcher for the Demon Deacons. This family connection demonstrates a hereditary athletic trait that has manifested in different football disciplines.
Personal Life
Surratt continues to maintain a presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of his professional and personal life with his followers. His Instagram handle is chazz_surratt. Following his successful transition from quarterback to linebacker, Surratt has become an example of positional flexibility in football, demonstrating that athletes can successfully reinvent themselves when circumstances require adaptation. He remains active in the NFL as he enters his sixth professional season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Surratt joining the San Francisco 49ers organization in May. He participated in the offseason program and training camp, working to earn a spot on the final roster. Despite his efforts, he was released during final roster cuts in late August, which led him to sign with the Seattle Seahawks just two days later.
Upon joining the Seahawks, Surratt immediately contributed on defense and special teams. His versatility and experience from previous NFL seasons helped him quickly integrate into the defensive scheme. He remained a consistent contributor through the first 11 weeks of the season before suffering an ankle injury in Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans that required him to be placed on injured reserve.
Surratt’s season took a dramatic turn when he was activated from injured reserve ahead of Super Bowl LX. While the outcome of that championship game is not yet determined, his return from injury to participate in the biggest game of the season represents a significant personal achievement. Following the Super Bowl, Surratt re-signed with the Seahawks in March 2026, indicating his desire to continue his career with the organization that provided him with this championship opportunity.