Its Duke for Surratt

David Cutcliffe has found his quarterback of the future in Chazz Surratt. The Denver (N.C.) East Lincoln star committed to the Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday afternoon.

"I love the school," said the 6-foot-2, 198-pound Surratt. "They're great coaches down there, coach (Scottie) Montgomery and coach Cutcliffe. They're all really good people and a good education is one of the most important things. It's an all-around good fit for my family and me."

For months, there was speculation that Surratt would attend at one of the North Carolina schools and he admitted he felt like he didn't want to go far from home.

"It was important to stay near home, but I thought this was the best option regardless," he said. "If I was from Georgia, I would have thought this was the best place for me."

Duke is off to a very hot start to their 2016 recruiting class and the headliner so far in Rivals100 prospect Scott Bracey. The Blue Devils had told Bracey he would get a shot at playing quarterback even though his natural position is wide receiver.

"I've met Scott but I don't think they're going to try him at quarterback," Surratt said. "I think they'll keep him at receiver. I met him there on my last unofficial visit. Talking to the other players that were already there, it felt like a good fit."

Cutcliffe has a history of developing good quarterbacks and Surratt knows it.

"You have to be intelligent," he said. "It's a very complex system they run. The quarterback is the most important thing in their offense and being able to run and throw it like I can, I think I'll really be able to take my talents to another level. With the coaches there, they'll be able to get me where I want to go.

"I have a good relationship with coach Cutcliffe," said Surratt. "I'm always comfortable around him. They're really straight up and honest about everything. They'll tell you what they think and they have your best interest at heart, not just as a football player but as a person. That's always a good feeling.

"Being coached by coach Cutcliffe is one of the big reasons why I chose Duke," he said. "He has had years of experience and he's worked with some of the best. Being able to learn form him was important."

Surratt and his brother, Sage Surratt, helped East Lincoln to a state championship birth in basketball last season and there is a chance Surratt tries out for the national champion Blue Devil basketball team.

"Right now, I'm not really planning on it, but it might come up in the future," Surratt said. "I'm a competitor, so I might want to down the line, but I'm not really thinking about that right now."

Surratt led East Lincoln to a state championship in football last season.