LSU has been the unquestioned leader for Patrick Surtain Jr. for almost 18 months. The 5-star cornerback has never been shy when discussing his affinity for the program or for defensive backs coach Corey Raymond.
The question now is whether that longtime lead will culminate in a commitment on Feb. 7.
Nobody has a better grasp on Surtain’s decision than Pat Surtain Sr., the younger Surtain’s father and the state championship-winning football coach at American Heritage (Fla.) High School. A New Orleans native who was lightly recruited by LSU coming out of Edna Karr (La.) High School, the elder Surtain can see why his son, the nation’s top-ranked cornerback, is high on the Tigers.
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“Nothing is official yet, but I know why LSU is on the top,” Surtain Sr. told SEC Country. “He’s been liking that school for a long time now. Not that other teams aren’t in the mix, but right now, LSU is in the lead.
Patrick Surtain Jr. is the top defensive prospect on LSU’s 2018 board. LSU did not sign a DB during the early signing period. (Sam Spiegelman/SEC Country)
“The success that Corey has had with his defensive backs, they put a bunch of guys in the NFL and that’s his ultimate goal. When we went down for LSU-Alabama [in November 2016], the environment was second to none. There’s nothing like it. He liked that environment. It’s big-time college football. … It’s about the right fit and about him being comfortable. You can go to the league from any school, but he needs the right relationship with the coaches and getting a feel with the academic side.”
The relationships are paramount to Surtain’s National Signing Day decision and he has openly discussed his longtime bond with Raymond. LSU’s defensive backs coach has been courting the 5-star Florida native for years and hosted for a slew of unofficial visits. In January, he’ll host Surtain for his official visit ahead of his final decision.
Raymond has not only recruited the U.S. Army All-American, but he forged a critical bond with his mother and father. All three are natives of Louisiana and all three have often discussed why LSU would be a good landing spot for Surtain Jr.
“It’s hands-on,” Surtain Sr. said of his bond with Raymond. “Corey has been on the highest level of football and knows what it takes. I remember sitting in the meeting rooms, seeing how he communicated with players and how the players respected him. He gets it across. He’s a smart guy and relays the defense.
“He can teach him [Surtain Jr.] things when I’m not there and I’ll be satisfied. He’s a good dude off the field, and most importantly, the players respect him. That goes a long way with him [Surtain Jr.].”
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Surtain has been vocal about the Tigers’ lead, despite keeping schools such as Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Florida State in the fold. Surtain’s admiration for Raymond is documented, but his longtime fandom of the LSU football program often goes under the radar.
The nation’s No. 1 corner, Patrick Surtain Jr., visited LSU for the Alabama game in November 2016. That environment has left a lasting impression on the Army All-American. (Sam Spiegelman/SEC Country)
Surtain was born and raised in South Florida, but his father hails from New Orleans and his mother, Michelle Surtain, has family in Baton Rouge and Donaldsonville, La. That has led to plenty of familiarity with the Tigers in his lifetime.
“For him to have a recollection of LSU at an early age, that’s the team that stood out to him,” Surtain Sr. recalled. “We never pushed LSU down his throat. Their style of play, their crowd, their players stuck out to him … Having family there is important. He has to go somewhere he feels comfortable, whether it’s LSU or Florida State or the other schools he’s thinking about. I don’t know whether he has that sense or feeling with the other schools yet, but going to LSU, when he went he hung out with the fellas and had some comfortability there. Who knows the next time? He’s going to take his time to make sure he makes the right decision.”
Surtain Jr. is bracing for a critical stretch in his long-winding recruitment. After competing in the Army All-American Bowl in January, he’ll begin to take his official visits. LSU, of course, will get a weekend with the nation’s No. 5-ranked prospect.
Surtain Sr. has taken a step back to let his son wrestle with the decision. So has his mother. However, having extended family in Louisiana is not something to look past. It’s not the sole factor, but it could play a role in that highly sought-after level of comfortability.
“It does help that we have family there,” Surtain Sr. explained. “My side of the family is in Baton Rouge. My wife’s is in Gonzales, about 15 minutes away, and then more of my family in New Orleans. It’s pretty close. … Pat can’t put all his eggs into one basket; he has to go where he feels comfortable. We’re not pushing him to this place or that place because we have family there.
“LSU has been his leader for a long time, and if he goes there, I’ll be happy for him. It’s a big-time program. This is all about him and he has to be selfish in this decision. He can’t do it for me or for mom or his family in Louisiana; he has to do it for himself.”
Pat Surtain Sr. details the latest on LSU’s push for nation’s top cornerback
