National Signing Day 2018: Patrick Surtain, Jr. Commits to Alabama

If there was one player Nick Saban needed in this class it was 5-star cornerback Patrick Surtain, Jr.

Saban got him.

Surtain, Jr., the top uncommitted prospect in the 2018 class, sat onstage with his American Heritage teammates, pulled out the Alabama Crimson Tide hat and became the 6th 5-star corner to commit to Alabama under Saban.

Surtain’s commitment not only bolstered a position of need for the Crimson Tide (they lose six DBs from the 2017 team), but helped them get back into the Top 5 in the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings. Whether they stay there will depend upon announcements this afternoon, but Surtain became the 2nd 5-star to sign with the Tide.

Surtain, Jr. was widely considered the top cornerback of 2018 and it’s easy to see why with his measureables alone. At 6’2”, 199 lbs., Surtain, Jr. has it what it takes to be physical with the biggest receivers in the conference as well as coming up to stop the run.

His speed will allow him to keep up with the top-end burners on the edge.

As a believer in bump-and-run, Saban depends on physical corners who play well on an island, so it’s easy to believe that Surtain, Jr. can be the type of DB that Dre Kirkpatrick, Dee Milliner, Marlon Humphrey and Minkah Fitzpatrick were at Alabama.

It was predicted for almost a year that Surtain, Jr. would eventually sign with the LSU Tigers, but over the last two months Saban and his staff cranked up the heat, even going so far as to interview Surtain Jr’s father, Patrick Surtain (also the American Heritage head coach) for the then-vacant secondary coach position.

It’s safe to assume this crafty move at least led Surtain, Jr. aided in his decision to commit to the Tide.

Congrats to Surtain, Jr. and his family!