The son of former All-Pro defensive back, it’s like Patrick Surtain II was built for this life. At 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, the Alabama sophomore is the prototype for a cornerback to follow his namesake’s path.

Ranked sixth among recruits in the 2018 signing class, Surtain proved that value earning a starting role before October in his rookie season. Now, with the benefit of a full offseason, the South Florida product is set for a bigger role in this Crimson Tide secondary.

He’s been splitting time between cornerback and the Star position -- the extra defensive back in nickel formations. There’s a different degree of confidence in the scheme, Surtain said this week and the fact he’s already transitioned from freshman to teaching freshmen proves it to him.

"Basically, just knowing what's happens before the play, just knowing what my mental focus was,” Surtain said. “As a freshman, I probably didn't take things as far as learning more things on the field, like watching film. I think I took that for granted, but now I'm more into that."

Surtain saw the field in the 2018 opener with Louisville as playing time increased the next few weeks. By Week 4 against Texas A&M, he replaced Saivion Smith in the starting lineup.

It was also that week that Surtain recorded his first and only interception of the season just before halftime in a finger-tip snatch. It led to a 47-yard field goal as time expired for a 31-13 halftime lead.

“It wasn’t that much pressure,” Surtain said. “I just felt like it’s my time to step up and just show my contributions to the team and just believe in my fundamentals and my technique. I stepped into a big moment, and I just played my game.”

The real welcome-to-college moment didn’t come until months later, Surtain said. He identified the Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma as the game where he had to step things up against the Sooners’ explosive passing offense.

"I responded well,” Surtain said. “It was just one game where I battled a lot of adversity. I just had to improve on a daily basis.”

Surtain was in coverage of CeeDee Lamb when Kyler Murray found him for a 10-yard, back-shoulder touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 38-27.

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Now, he’s splitting time between the outside role at cornerback and the Star that plays more in the slot. Senior Trevon Diggs, also 6-foot-2, has also spent time at the Star position but said Surtain is far ahead of him at this point after teaching the basics like route concepts and reading receivers based on their alignment.

“I feel like when you’re in the slot, people think the position is supposed to be smaller so you can move those guys,” Diggs said. “Pat and I are bigger guys but we can move just as well as the smaller guys so I feel like it’s really not a difference but I feel like we have an advantage because quarterbacks normally read the cover 2 and throw that seam route. It’s harder to get that over our heads because we’re taller and longer so I feel like that’s our advantage and we can move as well so I feel real good.”

Surtain also has the benefit of having a father who has been through the same growing pains as a defensive back. The 11-year NFL vet with the Dolphins and Chiefs is three inches shorter than his son.

They talk by phone before every game if dad is not in town to watch in person. Stay confident, be humble and believe the technique, is the consistent message from one retired cornerback to the emerging star of the next generation.

Diggs, who also has NFL blood with brother Stefon Diggs playing for the Vikings, gained respect for the younger Surtain stepping into such a large role as a freshman last fall.

“It takes a lot of heart to just go out there and compete and be able to do the things the other guys are able to do even better,” Diggs said. “I feel like he has a lot of heart and he has a good career ahead of him.”

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.