Samford's Tartt forcing looks at Senior Bowl

Mobile, AL (SportsNetwork.com) - Samford strong safety Jaquiski Tartt might be the first FCS player to be selected in the NFL Draft in May.

This week, he has a terrific opportunity to introduce himself further to pro scouts.

Tartt, regarded as a top 100 pick, is back in his hometown as the first player in Samford history to be participating at the Reese's Senior Bowl. Having played collegiately about 250 miles northeast in Birmingham, Tartt is one of 11 former FCS players performing at practices that lead up to Saturday's top all- star showcase at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

From the Senior Bowl, NFL Network analyst Charles Davis described Tartt as "an absolute missile" at safety. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound Tartt, both a two-time Buck Buchanan Award finalist and first-team FCS All-American, is lauded for his athletic, physical style. He's been clocked as fast as 4.46 seconds in the 40- yard dash.

Tartt is part of the South roster that is being coached by Gus Bradley and his Jacksonville Jaguars coaching staff. The roster also is represented from the FCS level by Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Bryan Bennett, Northern Iowa running back David Johnson, Central Arkansas wide receiver Dezmin Lewis, Norfolk State outside linebacker Lynden Trail and Northwestern State cornerback Imoan Claiborne.

On the North roster, which is led by Ken Whisenhunt and the Tennessee Titans coaching staff, the former FCS standouts are Yale running back Tyler Varga, Delaware tight end Nick Boyle, Tennessee State offensive guard Robert Myers, Harvard outside linebacker Zack Hodges and Portland State punter Kyle Loomis.