By Matthew Golden
SouthernPigskin.com

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Chattanooga’s Nick Tiano looks to join the likes of former FCS quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo by establishing a successful NFL career.

nAround this time every year, the hype and speculation of the NFL Draft reaches its peak as mock drafts,
nbig boards, and player rankings are being released by what seems like the minute.

nWhile hundreds of players at their respective positions prepare mentally and physically for whatxe2x80x99s to
ncome, it seems like there is always an additional spotlight placed upon the quarterback group heading
ninto late April.

nIn a class headlined by 2019 Heisman winner Joe Burrow and 2018 Heisman runner-up Tua Tagovailoa,
nthere is an obvious buzz around the future signal callers and where they may end up.

nWith guys like Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, and Jake Fromm being household names heading
ninto the draft, itxe2x80x99s easy to get lost in the mix and forget about some of the less known, proven talents
nacross college football.

nWhile wexe2x80x99ve seen FCS level quarterbacks like Carson Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo pick up heavy
nattention ahead of the NFL draft, it isnxe2x80x99t very common that these xe2x80x9csmall school” prospects garnish enough
nbuzz to get selected to the NFL Draft.

nNext in line to potentially represent the FCS and smaller school quarterbacks across the nation in the
nNFL Draft is former Chattanooga standout Nick Tiano.

nTiano, an unlikely dual threat prospect, played his final two seasons of college football in his hometown
nof Chattanooga after transferring from Mississippi State.

nIn 2020, Tiano was just one of three quarterbacks in the Southern Conference to throw for over 2,000
nyards, also adding 14 touchdowns through the air to his resume. The Mocs signal caller would finish with
n35 touchdown passes in two seasons, leaving his mark on the Chattanooga program as the sixth-leading
npasser in school history.

nRegarding coming out of a smaller school like Chattanooga, Tiano values the challenge and what that
nextra chip on the shoulder will provide for him at the next level.

nxe2x80x9cBeing a small school guy, itxe2x80x99s exciting to have an opportunity to be on the same stage of the Power Five
nguys, some of these bigger names that people are more familiar with from bigger schools. Itxe2x80x99s a big
nopportunity to be able to show that I can hang with these guys, play with those guys, and show that I can
nshine at higher levels. I think it’s huge for me and huge for all of us guys from small schools,xe2x80x9d he
nexplained.

nAs previously mentioned, before Tianoxe2x80x99s success at Chattanooga, he attended and played football at
nMississippi State. While Tianoxe2x80x99s success on the gridiron didnxe2x80x99t go as planned, he still values and
nappreciates his time in Starkville.

nxe2x80x9cBeing at Mississippi State was a great experience for me, unfortunately didn’t exactly pan out how I
nwanted it to…but still, it was an incredible time in my life. I got to redshirt and watch Dak Prescott for an
nentire year, watched the way he worked, prepared , lead, and obviously you see the success hexe2x80x99s having
nnow,” Tiano stated.

nWith the experience of being in the same locker room as Prescott and many other talented players in
nStarkville, Tiano had the perfect presence and leadership to take over as signal caller for Chattanooga.
nTiano was quickly able to mold into his role with the Mocs, already having an established comfort level
nand passion for the university.

nxe2x80x9cI was born and raised in Chattanooga, so, going back to my hometown and playing for a team that I
ngrew up watching, in a university that I loved, in a city that I loved with family and friends very close by,
nit’s an pretty cool and unique experience that a lot of guys don’t get,” he added.

nThough Tiano transferred from a Power Five school, his competition was no slouch as he moved to the
nFCS level. While many players may find it fit to go to big time, big name colleges, some athletes thrive in
na different setting, being able to mold their games and work on themselves in the process.

nThe Mocs’ former signal caller credits the competition level across the Southern Conference regarding his ability to improve as a player.

nxe2x80x9cI think the SoCon is a great football conference with it being so competitive every year. I mean every Saturday it’s like flipping a coin to see who’s going to win. And I think that’s something that guys from our league, and really across FCS football take pride in,” Tiano detailed.

nDespite not being one of the more heralded quarterback prospects ahead of the NFL Draft, Tiano
nremains confident and is already setting his sights on his future goals.

nxe2x80x9cYou know, I really do believe I can play in the NFL,”he nodded. “I think I’ve got what it takes, I’m going to
ntry and do it for as long as I can. I’d love to be a starter, I’d love to go win a lot of games, win a Super
nBowl, all those things, of course.xe2x80x9d

nWith the draft in his sights, Tiano has continued to prepare and control what he can control. At this past
nseasonxe2x80x99s end, Tiano competed in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, a premier postseason all-star game for
ndraft-eligible players. The mobile passer stood out during the competition, taking home the honors of the
nNFLPA Collegiate Bowl Most Valuable Player Award.

nxe2x80x9cThat was an incredible week for me, and really just an incredible opportunity in all. You know, 70 or 80
nguys, however many of us there were, all on the same stage, at the same stage of life, all fighting for the
nsame thing, fighting for a chance to play at the next level,” Tiano shared.

nWith the NFL Draft approaching closer and closer by the day, Tiano seems to be much more grateful for
nwhatxe2x80x99s ahead than nervous.

nxe2x80x9cI’ve worked the majority of my life to be the best football player I can be, and there’s a lot of guys who
ncan say that, so I think any opportunity to make a living playing the game you love and that you’ve
nworked so hard for is awesome,” he concluded.

nThat opportunity is about to become a reality for Nick Tiano.

nWhile the first few rounds of the draft will be dominated with well-known names like Tua, Burrow, Hurts,
nFromm and others, be sure to keep your eye out on the xe2x80x9csmall schoolxe2x80x9d prospect out of Chattanooga in
nthe later rounds.