JACKSONVILLE - The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Thursday that defensive lineman Julian Hartsell has returned to the team after being assigned to the Jacksonville roster on a two-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 24-year-old Hartsell (6’3”, 280) first joined the Sharks at the tail end of the 2012 regular season, appearing in each of the team's final three regular season games. He made his Arena Football League debut in Week 18 against the Milwaukee Mustangs, notching two solo tackles in that game. Hartsell totaled 4.5 tackles (four solo) in his time with the Sharks last season.

Before heading to the AFL, Hartsell signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent out of Catawba College in July of 2011. After spending training camp with Tennessee, Hartsell was released by the team prior to the start of the regular season.

At Catawba, Hartsell recorded 96 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 40 games at the school (19 starts). He started all 10 of the team’s games as a senior in 2010, racking up 29 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks in that season. Earlier in his collegiate career, Hartsell made an immediate impact, playing in all 13 games as a freshman in 2007.

Born in Fort Bragg, N.C., Hartsell attended Ridgeview High School in Columbia, S.C.

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2013 season are now available, two tickets as low as $185. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.