He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected ninth overall by the Broncos in the 2021 NFL draft.

He was coached by his father, Patrick Surtain, who played in the National Football League (NFL).

[3][4] As a true freshman at Alabama in 2018, Surtain II started 12 games and recorded 37 tackles and an interception.

[10] Surtain helped guide the Crimson Tide to a 13-0 record and a National Championship win over Ohio State.

He finished with 60 total tackles (46 solo), two interceptions, ten passes defended, and one forced fumble.

[31][32] In Week 5 of the 2024 season against the Las Vegas Raiders, Surtain recorded two interceptions, including one he returned 100 yards for his second career touchdown and the second-longest pick-six in Broncos franchise history, only behind Aqib Talib’s 103-yard interception return touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in 2017.