Chazz Surratt had a breakout year at linebacker for North Carolina last season in what was his first time playing the position since high school. And instead of opting for the NFL, Surratt chose to play another year for the Tar Heels.

Why?

“I just sat down with my parents and we kind of talked about the pros and cons,” Surratt said during a virtual press conference Wednesday afternoon. “I felt like coming back with another year of experience under my belt and another year to develop as a linebacker, I thought it would have been a good choice. So, when I come out in the 2021 draft, I think I’ll be a better prospect coming out and boost my grade going into next year’s draft.”

The former quarterback played 744 snaps for the Tar Heels, leading the team and finishing second in the ACC in tackles with 115. Surratt also led UNC with 15.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries on his way to being voted first team All-ACC and the runner-up for ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

In short, it was a spectacular year for Surratt and one that propelled him onto most every 2020 NFL Draft board. He even graduated from Carolina last December, but ultimately decided against going pro and will return to Chapel Hill for his senior season.

Part of that process was consulting with the resources he was afforded in Chapel Hill and the NFL's College Advisory Committee. Darrell Moody, senior advisor to head coach Mack Brown, has more than 16 years of experience as an NFL scout and one of his primary roles on UNC’s staff is to advise players on whether or not they should pursue an NFL career when the time comes.

Surratt, who is from Denver, NC, says the guidance Moody gave him was instrumental in his eventual decision.

“I think it’s great to have a guy that’s been on the other side of the table and he knows a lot of guys in the NFL, has a lot of connections and he tells it to you straight up, that’s what I love about him,” Surratt said. “He basically told me, point blank, I think you can go in the top rounds in the next draft.”

In potentially getting drafted higher in 2021, Surratt would be guaranteed more money, which is something Moody discussed with him during the process.

“So I think the difference in the money there, it’s a big difference and I think, if you come back for another year as long as you keep progressing how you’ve been progressing, I think you’ve got a real good shot at doing what you want to do," Surratt said Moody told him.

Surratt’s junior campaign took him from backup quarterback to one of the most highly touted linebackers in college football. He easily could have gone pro but chose not to, and that’s a huge plus for the Tar Heels’ defense heading into next season.