Kareem Jackson isn't surprised at Patrick Surtain's early NFL success

The Denver Broncos drafted former Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II ninth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Surtain is one of many defensive backs Denver brought in during the offseason. The former Alabama star is already impressing his NFL teammates, including a fellow Crimson Tide alumnus.

Kareem Jackson is impressed at Surtain’s versatility

Jackson and Surtain have pretty similar stories as far as how they started their careers. Both Jackson and Surtain won national championships on undefeated Alabama teams before being selected as first-round NFL Draft picks, per Al.com’s Mark Inabinett. Jackson was the 20^th overall pick in 2010 by the Houston Texans. He signed with Denver in 2019. Denver also signed corners Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller to deals in free agency in addition to drafting Surtain.

Despite the deep and experienced group of defensive backs on the Broncos, Surtain has asserted himself as one of the team’s best. He even returned an interception for a touchdown in his preseason debut. Jackson is incredibly impressed with what he has seen from Surtain so far.

“He’s been playing a lot of different positions,” Jackson said. “Mentally, him being bale to pick up all those positions, and like I said, I mentioned how polished he is with his technique. That’s one of the main things for a secondary guy. If you can go out day in and day out and be consistent with your technique, you can be successful. But he’s been doing a great job. He’s been picking up every position he’s been playing. He’s been flying around, he’s been making a ton of plays.”

Surtain’s success with Broncos comes as no surprise

In three seasons at Alabama, Surtain totaled 116 tackkles, four interceptions and 24 passes defended. He anchored Alabama’s last season and was a huge part of the team winning a national championship. Surtain came into the NFL Draft as arguably the best defensive back prospect. He was ultimately the second corner taken, but Surtain is still looking the part so far as a Bronco.

Jackson isn’t surprised that Surtain is doing what he has so far. He joked that due to both of them coming from Alabama, success is something that is expected.

“Honestly, I didn’t think it would be any other way with his background and where he came from,” Jackson said of Surtain. “Not surprised at all. You guys have seen what we’ve done around this league for so long. Nah, I’m just playing. He’s been playing some great ball. But I’m not surprised.

Together, Jackson and Surtain are now part of a talented Broncos defense that has one of the deepest secondaries in the NFL.