Alabama football: Surtain No. 2 living up to name on multiple levels

There’s the name. And then there’s the game.

Ever since Patrick Surtain II began tearing up youth football fields as an oversized running back in Plantation, Fla., lofty expectations have followed him. They’re always lurking around the corner when the father you’re named after is a 3-time Pro Bowler.

But a surname only takes you so far. Just ask Ken Griffey Jr., Steph Curry or the third-generation farmer taking over his family plot upon his dad’s retirement.

What’s expected of Surtain has only increased since he arrived at Alabama in 2018. Coming to Tuscaloosa as a 5-star recruit is one thing; several bona fide blue-chippers have done that.

But starting 12 games as a true freshman under Nick Saban is another. Fast-forward 2 years, and the elder statesman of the Crimson Tide’s secondary was viewed as the closest thing to a sure thing “during these uncertain times.”

Somehow, Surtain continues to exceed the hype.

“I think Pat’s done a great job,” Saban said. “He leads by example. He always practices the way you’re supposed to practice, takes coaching the way you’re supposed to take coaching. I think he respects the critical eye.

“He wants to be a good player. He wants you to tell him how he could do things better. He’s very committed to being a good player.”

The results? Try the Power 5’s top defender grade per Pro Football Focus, for starters. With opposing offenses often scheming around the 6-foot-2, 202-pound cornerback, Surtain has tallied 5 pass breakups, 22 total tackles and an interception this season.

Highest-graded P5 defenders
1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama – 89.2
2. Kwity Paye, Michigan – 88.6
3. Alim McNeill, NC State – 88.4
3. Rashad Weaver, Pittsburgh – 88.4 pic.twitter.com/iGrLIl2Lbc

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 14, 2020

He returned that pick on Halloween against Mississippi State 25 yards for a touchdown.

Surtain is a soft-spoken, mild-mannered kid. But you could see the pure elation behind his facemask as he crossed the goal line at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

After a rocky start for the Alabama defense, Surtain has helped lead it to a resurgence. It seems like eons ago, but the Tide — who are coming off an unforeseen bye week thanks to a COVID-19 outbreak on LSU’s roster — shut out Mike Leach’s Air Raid attack a week after holding Tennessee to 302 yards of offense and 17 points.

This ain’t your older brother’s stifling Bama defense. But it has been much, much better at exactly the right time, with Surtain in the thick of it.

“We always challenge ourselves on finishing plays, communicating out there, flying around to the ball,” Surtain said. “When you fly around to the ball, more plays happen. We always wanted to be that defense. The standard of the defense has been dominance. We want complete dominance around the whole defensive unit.”

The expectations go well beyond just locking down the opposing team’s top receiver. With a multitude of freshmen and sophomores in the lineup, it has fallen upon Surtain and senior linebacker Dylan Moses to set and enforce the standards Surtain mentioned.

You’re not likely to see him give an impassioned speech on a Zoom press conference or rip into a teammate for malperformance.

Surtain doesn’t “do” leadership. He lives it.

“I think he’s not really a vocal guy, but in a quiet way impacts everybody in a very, very positive way because of the example that he sets,” Saban said. “He is somebody that I wish every guy on our team would try to emulate in terms of the character that he has as a person, and the competitive character he demonstrates every day in preparing for a game, as well as how he plays in a game.”

It’s not hard to see where Surtain gets it. His dad, Patrick Surtain, played for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs from 1998-2008 and finished his career with 37 interceptions.

His namesake’s first football memories are of his father in Kansas City. The elder Surtain taught him first to love the game, then how to play it — including serving as his coach at American Heritage School in Plantation.

Father and son have broken down hundreds of hours of film together. It was pops who suggested a long, lanky Patrick II focus on defensive back during his later years.

Today, dad still gives son a pep talk before every Alabama game.

There’s a spot on an NFL roster awaiting the younger Surtain should he decide to forego his senior season and prepare for next spring’s Draft. He has already drawn comparisons to star Rams defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

But there are more immediate benchmarks to eclipse, starting Saturday against Kentucky. Alabama’s season is suddenly down to 3 regular-season games, a presumed SEC championship contest and the College Football Playoff if all goes as planned.

When it comes to Surtain, so far, it has.

“Pat is definitely a key piece to our defense,” Moses said. “He’s a leader, and all the other guys, as well as myself, look to him to make plays, just like we look for everyone else in our defense to make plays. Ultimately, we all have to do our jobs. It’s not necessarily a single individual in our defense, it’s everyone. We all have to do our job.”

Phil Ervin

Phil Ervin is a veteran college football writer with experience covering both the SEC and Big Ten.