Spring Tour Stop 14: Could 5-star CB Surtain follow 'pipeline' to FSU?

PLANTATION, Fla. -- It's very rare for a high school football team to be blessed with one five-star cornerback. It's even more of an anomaly when that school has two of the best corners in the country.

Welcome to American Heritage, where the Patriots not only have the nation's No. 1-rated CB in Patrick Surtain, but also the nation's No. 9 CB in Tyson Campbell. It's a situation that Surtain believes will make life difficult for opposing offenses.

"Teams are going to have tough times going against us. He's a beast," Surtain said of Campbell. "Very fast, lengthy, physical. That's all you need in a corner. His speed helps a lot, and how he can recover so well."

Although he has been focused on spring football and track and field, recruiting also has been heating up for Surtain, who lists Florida State and LSU as his top two schools, followed by Ohio State, Clemson and Florida.

Surtain said he's not in a hurry to make a decision, but he did talk at length with Warchant about some of the factors that attract him to FSU. One is having former American Heritage stars Tarvarus McFadden and Brian Burns enjoying major success with the Seminoles early in their careers, and another is the relationship he's built with FSU defensive coordinator Charles Kelly.

"He's a great coach, but he's real," Surtain said. "I mean very real. Our life relationship is very deep. He takes care of you. He treats you like you're his own son. FSU is also so high for me because of their tradition and they know how to build develop their talent."

Surtain, whose father was a standout cornerback in the NFL and now is American Heritage's head coach, said he's kept a close eye on McFadden's development at Florida State.

As a freshman, McFadden played on special teams and provided depth in the Seminoles' secondary. As a sophomore, he emerged as one of college football's top defensive backs, tying for No. 1 nationally with eight interceptions and earning All-America honors.