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 transitioning to linebacker, and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Early life
Surratt attended East Lincoln High School in Denver, North Carolina. He helped lead the East Lincoln football team to victories in the 2012 2A and 2014 2AA NCHSAA state championship games.
[ FB-State-Champion-List. NCHSAA. Retrieved April 20, 2025.] A highly regarded high school quarterback, Surratt was a two-time first-team
Associated Press (AP) All-State selection. During his senior year, Surratt was named
North Carolina AP Offensive Player of the Year, as well being a
Parade All-America and
Parade National Player of the Year.
Surratt also set the high school state record for most career touchdowns with 229.
[ Football-Record-Book. NCHSAA. Retrieved April 20, 2025.]
College career
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 struggled with inconsistency and injury throughout 2017, only appearing in nine games, starting seven. After a suspension to start the 2018 season,
Surratt became the backup to Nathan Elliott. He appeared in one game during his redshirt sophomore season, sustaining a season-ending injury against Miami.
When Head Coach Mack Brown returned before the 2019 season, Surratt elected to make the switch to linebacker prior to his redshirt junior season rather than transfer to another school for an opportunity to continue to play quarterback.
Surratt opted out of participating in the Orange Bowl against Texas A&M, in order to prepare for the 2021 NFL draft.
Professional career
Minnesota Vikings
2021 season
Surratt was drafted in the third round (78th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
Entering his inaugural training camp in the NFL, Surratt competed for a starting inside linebacker job 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.
Surratt finished his rookie season playing in 9 games and played exclusively on special teams with zero defensive snaps.
2022 season
Surratt competed for a backup inside linebacker job in training camp against rookie
Brian Asamoah. However, he struggled in the Vikings' preseason games and was seen as an improper fit in the team's new defensive scheme.
Surratt was waived on August 30, 2022.
New York Jets
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.
San Francisco 49ers
On May 28, 2025, Surratt signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts.
Seattle Seahawks
On August 28, 2025, Surratt signed with the
Seattle Seahawks.
Personal life
Surratt's younger brother,
Sage Surratt, was an All-Conference wide-receiver at Wake Forest University.
External links
