Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, McSurdy attended Borah High School, where he practiced football and track.

He received All-conference honors three straight times and was a team captain in football as a junior and senior.

In his last year, he was an All-state linebacker and tight end, recording 65 tackles, 22 receptions for 232 yards and 4 touchdowns.

He also finished fourth in the 2010 Big Sky Conference track and field meet, with a discus throw of 161’, 2 1/4”.

[2] He suffered an Achilles injury in training camp and was placed on the injured reserve list on August 26, 2012.