With the 46th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Samford safety Jaquiski Tartt.
Tartt is the sixth player to be selected in Samford history and the first from his school to be drafted by the 49ers. Tartt was the first player from Samford to be invited to the Senior Bowl. He played one season of high school football, but he later earned All-American honors three times in college.
Tartt recorded 277 tackles (199 solo), six interceptions, 20 pass breakups and 6.5 tackles for loss in college.
Here's a quick breakdown of the second-round selection, courtesy of NFL.com.
"Well-built with impressive overall size. Gets downhill quickly from high safety to mix it up in run support. Takes good angles to ball carriers and is an aggressive tackler. Willing to play through pain and compete. Fierce competitor. Plays with confident, clear eyes to diagnose and handle his responsibilities. Attacks the ball at point of catch to disrupt wide receiver and dislodge the pass."
Tartt, a 6-foot-1, 221-pound defensive back ran a 4.53, 40-yard dash at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. He was also considered as a possible draft target of the 49ers, according to Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller.
Matt Bowen, another B/R contributor, weighed in on the pick with this:
Tartt is a native of Mobile, Ala., just like San Francisco's 2014 first-round draft pick, Jimmie Ward. They both attended Davidson High School.
Shortly after the pick was turned in, the Samford safety told the Bay Area media that he was a pre-draft visitor to 49ers headquarters.
With the 46th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected DB Jaquiski Tartt out of Samford.
When asked to describe his game, Tartt said, "I like to come down and tackle."
Tartt also added that he wants to contribute on special teams first.
"I see myself playing special teams first, and making my name on special teams first, learning behind Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid," the second-round pick said.
Tartt also spoke to Ward last week about potentially being teammates in San Francisco.
"We talked about this day, it would be great if we could play on the same team," Tartt said. "It's crazy."
It's now a reality.
Tartt, who has slot coverage experience, is likely going to compete with Ward and others for a reserve defensive back role.
"That's going to make us better," Tartt said.
