BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Samford junior safety Jaquiski Tartt has been named to the College Football Performance Awards' (CFPA) preseason watch list for its Defensive Back Award, the organization announced on Monday.

The award goes to the top defensive back in all of Division I-FCS football. Tartt was the only player from a school in the state of Alabama to make the list. He was also one of just three players from Southern Conference schools to be honored.

As a sophomore in 2012, Tartt was a finalist for the Sports Network's Buck Buchanan Award for the top defensive player at the FCS level. He led the team and tied for seventh in the Southern Conference in tackles with 94. He led the SoCon in passes defended with 14, and he tied for the league lead in interceptions with four.

From his safety position, Tartt scored two defensive touchdowns for the Bulldogs. He returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown against Georgia Southern, and he returned an interception 65 yards for a score against The Citadel.

Tartt, in his first season as a starter for the Bulldogs, was named All-American and All-SoCon at the conclusion of the 2012 season. During the season, he was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Month for September, and he earned SoCon Defensive Player of the Week honors twice.

Tartt and the Bulldogs open the 2013 season on Friday, Aug. 30, when Samford travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia State in the Georgia Dome.