BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford sophomore safety Jaquiski Tartt has been added to the Watch List for the Buck Buchanan Award, the Sports Network announced on Wednesday. The Buchanan Award goes to the top defensive player in all of Division I FCS. 

Tartt is the fifth SoCon defender to be named to the Buchanan Watch List, joining linebacker Wes Dothard (Chattanooga), linebacker Jeremy Kimbrough (Appalachian State), defensive back Demetrius McCray (Appalachian State), and defensive lineman Brent Russell (Georgia Southern).

This season, Tartt leads the Southern Conference in interceptions with four and passes defended with 12. He also leads Samford and ranks fourth in the SoCon in total tackles with 73, including 43 solo stops.

Tartt has been named the SoCon's Defensive Player of the Week twice this season. He earned the honor first on Sept. 10, after intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble in a win over West Alabama. He was named the Defensive Player of the Week again on Oct. 8, following an impressive performance in a win over The Citadel in which Tartt returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown.

At the conclusion of the month of September, Tartt was named the SoCon's Defensive Player of the Month. In five games in the month of September, Tartt led Samford with 51 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

The Buchanan Award will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season on Nov. 19.

The Sports Network also presents the Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Payton Award honors the outstanding player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year.

All four awards will be presented on Dec. 17 at the FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation in Philadelphia.