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). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 233 pounds, he is a versatile defender known for his speed, instincts, and special-teams value. Surratt launched his college career as a quarterback at the University of North Carolina before making a successful transition to linebacker under head coach Mack Brown. He was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and has since bounced between several franchises while building a reputation as a dependable reserve and core special-teams player.
Early Life and Background
Chazz Surratt was born on February 16, 1997, in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, and grew up nearby in Denver, North Carolina, where he attended East Lincoln High School. He quickly emerged as one of the most accomplished high school quarterbacks in state history, helping lead East Lincoln to NCHSAA 2A state championship glory in 2012 and the 2AA title in 2014. During his senior season, Surratt was named the North Carolina Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year, earned Parade All-America honors, and was recognized as the Parade National Player of the Year. He finished his prep career as North Carolina’s all-time leader with 229 career touchdowns, a remarkable scoring record.
Beyond his statistical success, Surratt developed into a respected team leader at East Lincoln and was a two-time first-team AP All-State selection. His high school résumé made him one of the most sought-after quarterback recruits in the region, and his competitive foundation during those years set the stage for a college opportunity at a Power Five program. Family played a major role in shaping his athletic identity, and his younger brother, Sage Surratt, would later become a notable wide receiver at Wake Forest University.
Path to American Football
Surratt was recruited by Tar Heel head coach Larry Fedora to play quarterback at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, joining the program as part of the 2016 recruiting class. He redshirted his first year, preserving a season of eligibility, and then was named the starting quarterback during his redshirt freshman campaign in 2017, replacing graduate transfer Brandon Harris. Surratt appeared in nine games that season, starting seven, but struggled with inconsistency and injuries that limited his development.
Following a suspension that opened the 2018 season, Surratt slipped to a backup role behind Nathan Elliott, and a season-ending injury against Miami kept him out of action for most of the year. When Mack Brown returned as head coach before 2019, the quarterback depth chart became even more crowded with the arrival of Sam Howell, and Surratt chose to remain at North Carolina by switching to linebacker rather than transferring. The position change sparked a dramatic improvement, as Surratt started all 13 games in 2019, posted 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, and announced himself as one of the ACC’s premier defensive players. His redshirt senior season in 2020 ended with 91 tackles and another strong campaign, and he opted out of the Orange Bowl to focus on his draft preparation.
Chazz Surratt Career
Early Career (2021)
Surratt’s professional career began when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the third round, 78th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He entered a competitive inside linebacker room that included veterans Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Nick Vigil, and was named a backup inside linebacker to open his rookie season. Surratt appeared in nine games during his first year, working exclusively on special teams while logging zero defensive snaps. That special-teams foundation gave the Vikings confidence in his motor and tackling ability heading into his second season.
In his second summer with Minnesota, Surratt competed for a backup linebacker role against rookie Brian Asamoah. He struggled in the preseason, however, and was viewed as a poor fit in the team’s evolving defensive scheme. As a result, the Vikings waived Surratt on August 30, 2022, ending his first NFL chapter and setting the stage for a quick opportunity elsewhere.
New York Jets Era (2022–2024)
On September 1, 2022, Surratt signed with the practice squad of the New York Jets, where he continued to refine his special-teams responsibilities and developmental trajectory. He worked his way into a reserve role, demonstrating the versatility and tackling reliability that have defined his professional profile. On January 9, 2023, Surratt signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets, securing his place on the offseason roster and extending his tenure in New York through the 2024 season. Across his Jets tenure, Surratt’s role centered primarily on special teams, and he continued to develop as a depth piece at linebacker.
San Francisco 49ers (2025)
On May 28, 2025, Surratt signed with the San Francisco 49ers, joining a defense that has long prided itself on speed, discipline, and physicality. He competed throughout the offseason and preseason for a depth role within a deep linebacker group. As final roster cuts approached, the 49ers released Surratt on August 26, 2025, ending a brief but productive stint in the Bay Area.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2025–Present)
Just two days after his release from San Francisco, Surratt signed with the Seattle Seahawks on August 28, 2025, where he quickly established himself as a core special-teams contributor. His speed and tackling ability made him a reliable presence on coverage and return units, and he earned an expanding role on the defensive side of the ball. During a Week 12 contest against the Tennessee Titans, Surratt suffered an ankle injury that sent him to injured reserve on November 26, 2025.
Surratt was activated on February 5, 2026, ahead of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX matchup against the New England Patriots, and he was part of a roster that captured the Super Bowl championship. On March 18, 2026, Surratt re-signed with Seattle, cementing his future with the organization and signaling a new long-term chapter in his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Surratt’s game is built on speed, tackling fundamentals, and football intelligence developed through his unusual quarterback-to-linebacker journey. He reads plays quickly, closes on the ball with urgency, and thrives in space, traits that have made him a trusted special-teams coverage player throughout his NFL career. His transition from offensive skill player to defender also gives him an unusual perspective on opposing quarterbacks, helping him anticipate route concepts and pass timing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Surratt’s most celebrated professional milestone came with Seattle, when he was part of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX championship run. He also reached notable statistical benchmarks at North Carolina, including a game-winning interception against rival Duke in 2019 that signaled his arrival as a linebacker. As of 2024, Surratt had recorded 37 total tackles across his NFL regular-season career, with the majority of his production coming on special teams.
Chazz Surratt Career Wins
Chazz Surratt’s career wins span the high school, college, and professional levels, highlighted by state championships, All-American recognition, and a Super Bowl title. His collection of team successes reflects both his individual talent and his ability to contribute wherever a coaching staff needs him most.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Surratt has been part of one Super Bowl championship after helping the Seattle Seahawks capture Super Bowl LX over the New England Patriots. He has notched regular-season wins as a rotational player and special-teams contributor with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and Seattle Seahawks, and his consistent availability has been a hallmark of his professional resume.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level, Surratt helped East Lincoln win NCHSAA 2A state championships in 2012 and 2AA titles in 2014, capping one of the most decorated quarterback careers in North Carolina prep history. He also earned first-team All-American honors in 2020 and was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection in 2019 and 2020, accolades that underscored his rapid rise as a college linebacker after his position switch.
Chazz Surratt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Surratt comes from an athletic family with deep roots in North Carolina football. His younger brother, Sage Surratt, played wide receiver at Wake Forest University and earned All-Conference recognition during his college career, making the Surratts one of the more recognizable football families in the region.
Personal Life
Chazz Surratt is known for keeping his personal life largely out of the public eye, focusing public attention on his football career. He was born in the Charlotte area and continues to be identified with his North Carolina roots, where his family remains an important part of his support system. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle chazz_surratt.
2025 Season Performance
Surratt’s 2025 season was defined by roster movement and resilience. He began the year by signing with the San Francisco 49ers in late May, competing throughout the offseason and preseason for a depth role in one of the league’s most respected defenses. After being released as part of final cuts on August 26, he quickly landed with the Seattle Seahawks two days later and locked down a core special-teams role.
His strong play in Seattle continued through the early part of the schedule, where he was a reliable presence on coverage units and offered depth at linebacker. An ankle injury in Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans sent Surratt to injured reserve in late November, interrupting his momentum and forcing him to watch from the sideline for several weeks.
Surratt returned to the active roster in early February 2026, just ahead of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX matchup with the New England Patriots, and re-signed with Seattle in March 2026. The combination of a championship ring and a new contract sets the stage for Surratt to compete for an expanded defensive role in the seasons ahead.
