Josh Hokit
{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Josh Hokit
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Tight end / Fullback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|11|12}}
| birth_place = Bakersfield, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 225
| high_school = Clovis (CA)
| college = Fresno State
| undraftedyear = 2020
| pastteams =
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
| status =
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 =
| pfr = HokiJo00
}}
Josh Hokit (born November 12, 1997) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division. He formerly competed in Bellator MMA. He formerly played American football as a tight end and fullback in college football at Fresno State and was signed by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in {{NFL Year|2020}}. He also was a wrestler in college, and earned All-America honors.
Early life and education
Hokit was born on November 12, 1997, in Bakersfield, California. He grew up in Wasco, Ca before moving to Clovis, Ca. He attended Clovis High School, excelling in wrestling and football. As a senior in wrestling, he peaked at number three in the nation.{{Cite web|url=https://gobulldogs.com/sports/wrestling/roster/josh-hokit/9589|website=Fresno State Bulldogs|title=Josh Hokit - Wrestling - Fresno State}} In football that year, Hokit recorded 125 tackles as a linebacker and also rushed for 820 yards with eight touchdowns on offense.{{Cite web|url=https://gobulldogs.com/sports/football/roster/josh-hokit/9297|website=Fresno State Bulldogs|title=Josh Hokit - Football - Fresno State}} He originally accepted a wrestling scholarship to Drexel University, but changed his mind when he learned they didn't have a football team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/49ers-rookie-josh-hokit-has-considered-mma-career-after-nfl-journey|website=NBC Sports|title=49ers rookie Josh Hokit has considered MMA career after NFL journey|date=July 20, 2020}}
Hokit walked-on at Fresno State University, and played in all 12 football games as a freshman. His role that year saw him play linebacker, fullback, running back, and on special teams.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92430853/the-fresno-bee/|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 18, 2016|title=Versatile LB Hokit goes to mat for 'Dogs in two sports|author=Kuwada, Robert|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92430881/the-fresno-bee/ C6]}} {{Open access}} He made seven tackles on the season, and his best game against Hawaii, where he rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries. As a sophomore, Hokit appeared in all 14 games and started four. He ranked second on the roster with 583 rushing yards, coming on 128 attempts. He also scored seven touchdowns rushing, the ninth-most in the Mountain West Conference (MWC). In the season opener, he threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Jared Rice. After the football season ended, Hokit returned to wrestling, placing fifth in the Big 12 championships.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92431006/the-fresno-bee/|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|via=Newspapers.com|author=Anteola, Bryant-Jon|page=B1|title=With football over, 'Dogs' Hokit wrestles}} {{Open access}}
As a junior in 2018, Hokit appeared in 13 of 14 games, making one start. Rushing, he made 260 yards on 73 carries. He scored his lone touchdown of the season against UNLV. He also recorded eight catches for 56 yards, a long of 22. In wrestling, he led the team with 27 wins, and became their first All-America selection since Mario Botelho in 2003.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92430941/the-fresno-bee/|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 24, 2019|title=Fresno State wrestler earns All-America honors at NCAA championships|author=Anteola, Bryant-Jon|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92430961/the-fresno-bee/ B4]}} {{Open access}}
As a senior in 2019, Hokit played in 12 games, making one start in their matchup with Colorado State. He placed fourth on the roster with 287 rushing yards, and second on the team with nine rushing touchdowns. He also recorded 97 receiving yards and one touchdown on 17 catches. He was team captain for the final four games of the year. As a senior in wrestling, he finished the year being named by the NWCA as a second-team All-America selection, after leading Fresno with 24 wins.
Professional career
=San Francisco 49ers=
After going unselected in the 2020 NFL draft, Hokit was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/fresno-state/Article/Josh-Hokit-Fresno-State-football-NFL-undrafted-free-agent-signed-by-San-Francisco-49ers-UDFA-146515945/|website=247Sports.com|title=Fresno State's Josh Hokit signed by San Francisco 49ers|author=Moore, Jackson|date=April 26, 2020}} He was waived at the final roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/san-francisco-49ers-cutdown-tracker-jamar-taylor-released|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=San Francisco 49ers Cutdown Tracker: Final Cuts Released|author=Cohn, Grant|date=September 5, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/vincentfrank/2020/09/06/first-look-at-the-san-francisco-49ers-16-man-practice-squad/?sh=4dd322e86758|website=Forbes|author=Frank, Vincent|date=September 6, 2020|title=First Look At The San Francisco 49ers' 16-Man Practice Squad}} He was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list on December 23, and activated on December 28.{{Cite web|url=https://sportsforecaster.com/nfl/p/156374/Josh_Hokit/transactions|website=Sports Forecaster|title=Josh Hokit Transactions & Injuries}} Hokit was signed to a futures contract on January 4, 2021. He was waived at the 2021 final roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad the next day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/josh-hokit-waived-by-san-fran/|website=CBS Sports|title=Josh Hokit: Waived by San Fran|date=August 31, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/139480-49ers-2020-16-player-practice-squad-tracker/|website=49ersWebZone.com|title=49ers 2020 16-Player Practice Squad Tracker|date=September 6, 2021|author=Bonilla, David}} He was placed on the reserve-COVID-19 list on January 11, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/josh-hokit-moves-to-covid-19-list/|website=CBS Sports|title=Josh Hokit: Moves to COVID-19 list |date=January 11, 2022}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on February 2, 2022.{{cite web|title=49ers Sign 11 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-11-players-to-reserve-future-contracts|website=49ers.com|date=February 2, 2022}} He was waived on August 15, 2022.{{cite web|title=49ers release Darqueze Dennard, waive three|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/15/49ers-release-darqueze-dennard-waive-three/amp/|website=NBCSports.com|date=August 15, 2022|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815191428/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/15/49ers-release-darqueze-dennard-waive-three/amp/|url-status=dead}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
On August 18, 2022, Hokit signed with the Arizona Cardinals, but was waived five days later.{{cite web|title=Cardinals sign Josh Hokit|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/18/cardinals-sign-josh-hokit/|author=Simmons, Myles|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=August 18, 2022}}
Mixed martial arts career
{{Infobox martial artist
|name =
|image =
|image_size =
|alt =
|caption =
|other_names = The Incredible Hok
|height ={{height|ft=6|in=1}}
|weight ={{convert|246|lb|abbr=on}}
|weight_class =Heavyweight
|reach_in =
|style =
|fighting_out_of =Clovis, California, United States
|team =
|trainer =
|rank =
|years_active = 2023–present (MMA)
| am_win =
| am_kowin =
| am_subwin =
| am_decwin =
| am_loss =
| am_koloss =
| am_subloss =
| am_decloss =
| am_draw =
| am_nc =
| mma_kowin = 2
| mma_subwin = 3
| mma_decwin =
| mma_koloss =
| mma_subloss =
| mma_decloss =
| mma_draw =
| mma_dqloss =
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog =433441
|footnotes=
|updated=
}}
= Bellator MMA =
On March 1, 2023, it was announced that Hokit had signed with Bellator MMA to start his MMA career.{{Cite magazine |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |title=Josh Hokit Signs Multi-Fight Deal With Bellator |url=https://www.si.com/mma/2023/05/05/josh-hokit-signs-multi-fight-deal-with-bellator |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}
Hokit made his debut against Spencer Smith on October 7, 2023, at Bellator 300.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=Historic Bellator 300 gets eight new prelim fights |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/09/bellator-300-san-diego-eight-new-preliminary-card-fights-mma-matchup-booking-announcement |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the fight via an arm-triangle submission in the third round.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Bellator 300 Highlight Video: Josh Hokit Taps Spencer Smith |url=https://www.sherdog.com/videos/highlightreels/Bellator-300-Highlight-Video-Josh-Hokit-Taps-Spencer-Smith-20617 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}
For his second professional bout, Hokit faced Sean Rose on September 7, 2024, at Bellator Champions Series 4. He won the fight via an armbar submission in the second round.{{Cite web |title=Josh Hokit showcases grappling prowess to score first-round submission in last-second fashion |url=https://bellator.com/news/josh-hokit-showcases-grappling-prowess-to-score-firstround-submission-in-lastsecond-fashion |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=bellator.com}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=2
|ko-losses=
|sub-wins= 3
|sub-losses=
|dec-wins=
|dec-losses=
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
|other-wins=
|other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–0
|Eric Lunsford
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2025|May|9}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:00
|Santa Cruz, California, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (269.6 lb) bout; Lunsford missed weight.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–0
|Ezekiel Latu
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|{{dts|2025|March|6}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:42
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–0
|John Lopez
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2025|January|10}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:53
|Lemoore, California, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|Sean Rose
|Submission (armbar)
|{{dts|2024|September|7}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:58
|San Diego, California, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Spencer Smith
|Submission (arm-triangle choke)
|{{dts|2023|October|7}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:48
|San Diego, California, United States
|{{small|Heavyweight debut.}}
|-
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1933102/2020/07/19/walk-on-mentality-can-josh-hokit-take-fresno-state-stardom-to-49ers-success/|website=The Athletic|url-access=subscription|title='Walk-on mentality': Can Josh Hokit take Fresno State stardom to 49ers success?|date=July 19, 2020|author=Lombardi, David}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hokit, Josh}}
Category:American football fullbacks
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Fresno State Bulldogs football players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Players of American football from Clovis, California
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists from California
Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling