Former Alabama Crimson Tide star cornerback Patrick Surtain II has been named the 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, the league announced on Thursday night.
The Denver Broncos star, who played for the Tide from 2018-2020, beat out Steelers linebacker TJ Watt, Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, and Eagles linebacker Zack Baun to win the award. Surtain II received 26 first-place votes, as Hendrickson finished a distant second with 11 first-place votes.
Surtain II becomes the first Alabama alumnus to take home the honor. While in Tuscaloosa, he racked up 117 tackles, 27 passes defensed, and four interceptions over 41 career games. A stellar performance in 2020 earned him an All-American nod and the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year award. He was selected by the Broncos with the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and has remained in Denver ever since.
Defensive Player of the Year 💪
Congratulations, @PatSurtainll #RollTide pic.twitter.com/EFbbVh6VEl
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) February 7, 2025
Surtain II was dominant in coverage during the 2024-2025 season, posting a league-high Pro Football Focus grade of 87.4. He suffered no performance dropoff against the NFL’s elite, as he held Bengals receiver and former LSU star Ja’Marr Chase to three receptions for 27 yards and Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf to three receptions for 29 yards.
According to PFF, Surtain II was only targeted 52 times the entire season, a product of his reputation. Nevertheless, he still managed to rack up four interceptions, giving him a sky-high 7.7% interception rate per target. Surtain II returned one of those picks 100 yards for a touchdown.
PAT SURTAIN II WITH A 100-YARD PICK SIX‼️
pic.twitter.com/fRrD72fSJO— Recruits Bama (@RecruitsBama) October 6, 2024
Surtain II becomes the seventh cornerback ever and only the third since 2000 to be named the NFL’s DPOY.
“First and foremost, I want to give all the praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Surtain II said after accepting the award. “Without him, I wouldn’t be in this position. Secondly, I’d like to thank my family—mom, pops for setting the blueprint and turning a young man into a grown man and I want to thank y’all.”
“I’d also like to thank the Broncos organization for believing in me, trusting me, allowing me to grow and being the player I am today,” he added. “Lastly, I’d like to thank my teammates for helping me reach my full potential and being the best person I can be.”
“First and foremost, I want to give all the praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Broncos Patrick Surtain II at NFL Honors after winning the Defensive Player of the Year pic.twitter.com/sboLUnkXUB
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) February 7, 2025
Several teammates and coaches recorded a congratulatory video for Surtain II, including Nick Saban and former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix, now Surtain II’s teammate in Denver.
“Well Pat, I’d just like to congratulate you for winning 2024 Defensive Player of the Year,” Saban said. “All your hard work, your dedication, your commitment to a standard of excellence, being a great person who has shown leadership and character in everything that he did and how he influenced other people—it all comes to fruition, and it certainly has for you.”
“It’s no surprise to me because I get to see you work and train every day,” Nix said. “It’s like I tell you all the time: I’m glad you’re on my team.”
Charles Vaughan is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.
