By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Other people have been asking Ben Bartch '20 about making the jump from NCAA Division III college football to the NFL since even before his senior season at Saint John's University ended last December.

But it isn't a topic he's spent a whole lot of time dwelling on himself.

And that approach hasn't changed, even with the Jacksonville Jaguars rookie offensive lineman on the verge of making his professional football debut.

"Honestly, I've never thought about it all that much," said Bartch, whose team opens the 2020 season when it plays host to the Indianapolis Colts at noon (CDT) Sunday at TIAA Bank Field.

"I've found the more you think about things like that, the more you allow for fear and doubt to creep into your mind. Feeling like you belong somewhere is partly a choice. And I believe I can play at this level."

"I'm a Homo sapien, just like everybody else here. I like to mix it up as much as the next guy. I'm excited to be getting this opportunity."

The Jaguars believed enough in Bartch to select him with the 10th pick in the fourth round (116th overall) of last spring's NFL Draft. That made him just the 10th Johnnie player to be drafted, and the first since the Minnesota Vikings picked defensive lineman Kurt Wachtler '74 in the 15th round in 1974.

His selection came after an impressive showing in practices leading up to the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl (the premiere all-star showcase for the nation's top collegiate players) last January in Mobile, Ala.

Though an injury kept him from playing in the game itself, Bartch turned enough heads to raise his stock on many draft boards around the league. 

The story of how he transitioned from tight end to tackle after his sophomore season at SJU – adding over 50 pounds as a result of hard work in the weight room and repeated consumption of his now-famous protein shake smoothies (ingredients included seven scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, quick grits, peanut butter, bananas and Gatorade) - drew national attention.

And since he arrived in Jacksonville in July to start training camp, he has more than lived up to the hype.

The team switched him from tackle to guard, and he enters Sunday's season opener as the top backup at both guard positions on the Jaguars' depth chart.

"I've had a lot, well not a lot, but I've had success with guys that come from small schools and a lot of times people will think guys from a small school—he's not going to be as technically evolved or (hasn't) been coached as well," Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said last month. 

"You know, it couldn't be further from the truth. I think when you look at coaching, there are a lot of great coaches in high school, Division III, (FCS) and (so) on. I've always said, just because you have an NFL logo, doesn't all of a sudden make you a better coach than anybody else. I mean, I think there's great coaches at all different levels. But I will tell you what I've seen from Ben and a lot of these other young linemen, is that—Ben specifically has the power, has the ability. So, I'm really excited about him."

"I think that so many young guys have shown, even though they're not from the big-name schools, where there's Miami of Ohio or Saint John's University, those guys are doing a nice job, they really are," he continued. "A little bit probably more progress than I would think coming in."

Bartch's performance has been even more impressive when you consider that he didn't get the traditional preparation NFL rookies typically receive. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prevented teams from holding minicamps and offseason training programs at their facilities.

The four-game preseason schedule was eliminated as well. But even without all that, the team's coaching staff has been impressed by what they've seen.

"He's a bright kid," Jaguars offensive line coach George Warhop said. "I think it's really just him getting comfortable. He hasn't shied away from the competition, (it's) just technically getting used to how we want to play, making the transition from tackle to guard. It's not as easy when you don't have a spring, so he's fighting through the early parts of making that adjustment, but I'm fired up for him. I think he'll be a good player for us in the future."

His old head coach said he isn't surprised to see Bartch already showing the same level of determination he did at Saint John's.

"What it shows is that if you're willing to work as hard as you possibly can at something, great things can be accomplished," SJU head coach Gary Fasching '81 said.

"I told Ben that he's a self-made NFL player. Those first two years here, he was a backup tight end who wasn't seeing the field a whole lot. But he made the decision to put in the work he needed to put in to make himself successful as an offensive lineman. He could have decided to remain a backup tight end, and stay at 240 pounds. But if he had done that, he wouldn't be in Jacksonville right now.

"Most people never have the chance to experience what he's getting to experience. And it was his hard work made that happen."

Bartch said there have been times over the past month when exactly where he is and what he is doing has become abundantly clear.

"There have definitely been some 'Welcome to the NFL' moments," he said with a chuckle. "Times I've realized I'm not in Collegeville anymore. I feel good about how things are going. But I'm still a rookie. And there are a lot of areas where I have room to improve."

And Bartch said he has not forgotten where he comes from.

"I talk about Saint John's quite a bit, with pride I might add," he said. "Other players have asked me about it. There's actually a couple of guys on the team who know about the Johnnies/Tommies rivalry. So it's been cool to talk to them about that."

This week, though, everyone's attention is squarely focused on Sunday's season opener against the Colts. 

It will be a big moment when Bartch finally comes running out of that tunnel, even if pandemic restrictions mean the size of the crowd will be extremely limited.

"I understand how lucky I am to have this job, especially during this time when so many people out there are suffering," he said. 

"I'm extremely grateful that I have the chance to keep playing the sport I love."