Top recruit Patrick Surtain Jr. keeping his eyes on LSU

When you are considered “DBU,” you will catch the eye of every top cornerback recruit in the country.

So it is no surprise that LSU is currently the favorite to land one of the top defensive backs in the country in Patrick Surtain Jr. And that name may sound familiar because his father was a standout prep star right here in New Orleans, before becoming a star player in the NFL.

Patrick Surtain Sr., an Edna Karr standout, a 3-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, and now a Florida high school football coach, joined my radio show on Sports1280 this week, and talked about his highly-touted son.

“He started playing (football) when he was five,” said Surtain Sr. “To see him work at it and become the type of player he is today is a credit to him. I have a little bit to do with it, but it’s all him.”

Surtain Sr., who isn’t just the father but the head football coach of his child’s team, said despite his son receiving college offers from all over the country, he wants him to take his time and make the decision for himself.

“I’m going to do my due diligence as a father and a coach, to let him see everything,” said the elder Surtain. “It’s the one time where he can make a selfish decision, and wherever he goes, I’m going to support him.”

Surtain Jr. currently has offers from over 30 power-five universities, including the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Florida State and of course, LSU. And Tiger fans are no strangers to welcoming in top cornerback recruits. In recent years, they’ve brought in four and five-star recruits like Kristian Fulton, Kevin Toliver, and Tre White, to name a few.

And Surtain Sr. said despite the fact his son was born in Florida, he has “New Orleans in his blood.”

“He’s been an LSU fan ever since Patrick Peterson & the Honey Badger played there,” said Surtain Sr. “Coach O has been great. Corey (Raymond) has been great. He’s comfortable there. LSU is pretty high on his list.”

As for when a decision could come, Surtain Sr. said knowing his son, he may wait all the way up until signing day.

“He doesn’t let all of this stuff get to him. I think he’ll take it all the way until the end,” said Surtain Sr.

And as for keeping an eye on the NFL, Surtain Sr. said he still follows his former team, the Miami Dolphins, for whom he was a second-round pick in 1998, where he spent seven seasons, racking up 344 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 29 interceptions. But this weekend, he may not necessarily be rooting for them.

“I have always been a Saints fan,” said Surtain Sr. “Ever since the Dalton Hilliard, Hokie Gajan days. Always going to be a hometown fan of New Orleans.”