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UNC Football: Chazz Surratt named one of 2020’s most exciting players

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Chazz Surratt #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels pressures Jarren Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Chazz Surratt #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels pressures Jarren Williams #15 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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UNC football standout Chazz Surratt has been named one of 2020’s most exciting players.

University of North Carolina senior linebacker Chazz Surratt has become one of college football’s most decorated players leading up to the start of the 2020 season.

He’s a consensus preseason first team All-ACC selection, as well as a popular choice for first team All-American. His latest honor comes from ESPN staff writer Alex Scarborough, who named Surratt to his list of college football’s 15 most exciting players for 2020.

"“Not often does a quarterback become a linebacker,” Scarborough writes. “Rarer still is one who does it and then dominates the way Surratt did last season, ranking second in the ACC with 115 tackles and seventh among Power 5 players with 31 total pressures. After cross-training this offseason as an edge rusher, don’t be surprised if Surratt makes an even bigger impact as a senior.”"

Surratt completed his junior season in Chapel Hill with 115 total tackles — 66 solo tackles and 49 assists — to go along with 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The quarterback-turned-defensive star quickly became the unquestioned leader of a UNC squad that improved substantially from a season ago, and looks to be even better this season in head coach Mack Brown’s second year back on the sideline.

The Tar Heels are counting on an encore performance from Surratt that matches his dominance of a season ago. If he can manage that, the Tar Heels will be one step closer to capturing an ACC title over national powerhouse and prohibitive favorite Clemson. They appear to be the overwhelming favorite to challenge the Tigers this season, and were even projected by The Sporting News to play in the Capitol One Orange Bowl.

He’s currently projected as a first round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft according to ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr., who lists the rising senior as the No. 2 inside linebacker prospect in the draft.

Next. Duke commit recruiting a pair of UNC targets. dark

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Chazz Surratt, and the UNC football program.

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