Luke Stocker
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1988)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Luke Stocker
| image = Luke Stocker 2018 08-09.jpg
| caption = Stocker with the Tennessee Titans in 2018
| current_team = Tennessee Titans
| number =
| position = Tight ends coach
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|7|17|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Berea, Kentucky, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 253
| high_school = Madison Southern (Berea)
| college = Tennessee (2006–2010)
| draftyear = 2011
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 104
| pastteams = * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2011}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2021}})
| pastcoaching = * Tennessee Titans ({{nfly|2023}})
Offensive assistant
- Tennessee Titans ({{nfly|2024}})
Assistant tight ends coach - Tennessee Titans ({{nfly|2025}}–present)
Tight ends coach
| status =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 85
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 705
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 5
| pfr = StocLu00
}}
Lucas Aaron Stocker (July 17, 1988) is an American professional football coach and former tight end and fullback who is currently the tight ends coach for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings.
During his playing career, Stocker was a notably skilled blocker. Because of his blocking ability, Stocker was often the primary blocking specialist (a term used to designate tight ends who specialize in blocking) and the fullback of many teams that he played for. Stocker specifically often played fullback when playing in the offense of coach Dirk Koetter, who he played with in Tampa Bay from 2015 to 2018 and Atlanta from 2019 to 2020.
Early life
Stocker was born on July 17, 1988, in Berea, Kentucky. He attended Madison Southern High School in Berea where he was an honor student and three-year starter.{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Madison Southern grad Stocker named to Kentucky Pro Football HOF |url=https://www.richmondregister.com/sports/madison-southern-grad-stocker-named-to-kentucky-pro-football-hof/article_00c73d6a-c788-11ee-a788-0fca20ad7379.html |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Richmond Register |language=en}}
College career
Stocker played tight end at the University of Tennessee for the Volunteers from 2007 to 2010.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker - Football |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/luke-stocker/1743 |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}} He scored his first college touchdown in a game against Alabama in the 2007 season.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/luke-stocker-1/gamelog/2007 |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the 2009 season opener against Western Kentucky, he had two receiving touchdowns in the win.{{Cite web |title=Western Kentucky at Tennessee Box Score, September 5, 2009 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2009-09-05-tennessee.html |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He caught 85 passes for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/luke-stocker-1.html |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4 3/4
| weight = 258
| dash = 4.79
| ten split = 1.69
| twenty split = 2.79
| shuttle = 4.40
| cone drill = 7.03
| vertical = 33.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 7
| bench = 27
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9 3/4
| note = All values from the NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/luke-stocker/32005354-4f08-8140-fa9b-558c6358aec9 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Citation |title=Luke Stocker, Tennessee, TE, 2011 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=66516&DraftYear=2011 |access-date=June 16, 2013}}
}}
=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=
==2011 season==
Stocker was selected in the fourth round, 104th overall, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL draft and signed his contract worth four years on July 28, 2011.{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/draft.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Stocker suffered his first injury on the first day he practiced, and was out for a few weeks recovering from a hip injury. He caught his first career pass against the Minnesota Vikings on September 18, 2011, for a 17-yard gain. He finished the season with 12 receptions for 92 yards and no touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2012 season==
During the 2012 season under new head coach Greg Schiano, Stocker finished with 16 receptions for 165 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2013 season==
Stocker played in two games before going on injured reserve in the 2013 season.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2014 season==
Stocker was mostly healthy during the 2012 season, playing in all but two games (due to a concussion).{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Auman |first=Greg |date=October 27, 2017 |title=Bucs-Panthers: Luke Kuechly's very public concussion struggle |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/Bucs-Panthers-Luke-Kuechly-s-very-public-concussion-struggle_162062888/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}
==2015 season==
On March 9, 2015, after a strong performance at full back and on special teams, the Buccaneers signed Stocker to a three-year contract extension.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=March 9, 2015 |title=Bucs Re-Sign Four Pending Free Agents |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Re-Sign-Four-Pending-Free-Agents/bbd2211c-c041-4d9c-99d7-d4477e6cc2ec |access-date=July 9, 2017 |website=Buccaneers.com}} He finished the 2015 season with nine catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2016 season==
==2017 season==
On November 28, 2017, Stocker was released by the Buccaneers.{{Cite web |last=Smith, Scott |date=November 28, 2017 |title=Bucs Waive Stocker, Tapp |url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Waive-Stocker-Tapp/90665e97-2566-47d7-bb3e-8a2bb2ab0db5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128223654/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Waive-Stocker-Tapp/90665e97-2566-47d7-bb3e-8a2bb2ab0db5 |archive-date=November 28, 2017 |access-date=November 29, 2017 |website=Buccaneers.com}} Before he was released, he scored a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9.{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints - November 5th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201711050nor.htm |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Tennessee Titans (first stint)=
==2017 season==
On December 4, 2017, Stocker signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=December 4, 2017 |title=Titans Place DaQuan Jones on IR, Sign TE Luke Stocker |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Place-DaQuan-Jones-on-IR-Sign-TE-Luke-Stocker/89327ef9-8856-4c61-bd44-e49ffc51e4c6 |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=TitansOnline.com}} He caught his first reception as a Titan against the Jacksonville Jaguars for 12 yards. The Titans finished second in the AFC South with a 9–7 record and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team.{{Cite web |title=2017 Tennessee Titans Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/2017.htm |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Stocker appeared in his first two postseason games that season.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2018 season==
In the season-opener against the Miami Dolphins, Stocker caught a season-long pass of 31 yards as the Titans lost by a score of 27–20. On October 21, 2018, in a narrow 20–19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Stocker caught his first touchdown as a Titan on a 1-yard pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota. He finished the game catching two passes for 11 yards.{{Cite web |last=Bacharach, Erik |date=October 21, 2018 |title=Titans finally end streak without a touchdown, but it's not enough in loss to Chargers |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/10/21/titans-touchdown-less-streak-london-game-wembley-chargers/1719391002/ |website=Tennessean.com}} In the season finale against the Indianapolis Colts, he caught a 22-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert as the Titans lost by a score of 33–17.{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans - December 30th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201812300oti.htm |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Overall, Stocker finished the 2018 season with 15 receptions for 165 yards and a season-high two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Atlanta Falcons=
On March 14, 2019, Stocker signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite web |last=Tabeek |first=Matthew |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Falcons agree to terms with tight end Luke Stocker |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-agree-to-terms-with-tight-end-luke-stocker |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} In the 2019 season, he appeared in 15 games and started nine.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
The Falcons released Stocker on March 16, 2020.{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Will |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Falcons release tight end Luke Stocker |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-release-tight-end-luke-stocker |access-date=March 16, 2020 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} He was re-signed on August 14, 2020.{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Will |date=August 14, 2020 |title=Falcons sign Luke Stocker, make additional move |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-luke-stocker-make-additional-move |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} In the 2020 season, he appeared in 16 games and started 13.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Tennessee Titans (second stint)=
On July 31, 2021, Stocker signed with the Tennessee Titans.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=July 31, 2021 |title=Titans Agree To Terms With Veteran TE Luke Stocker in a Flurry of Roster Moves |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-agree-to-terms-with-veteran-te-luke-stocker |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}} He was released on September 2, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Titans Place Three Players on Injured Reserve While Waiving TE Luke Stocker |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-place-three-players-on-injured-reserve-while-waiving-te-luke-stocker |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
On October 13, 2021, Stocker was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Ulrich |first=Logan |date=October 13, 2021 |title=Viking Sign TE Luke Stocker To Practice Squad, Release OT Zack Bailey |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/viking-signing-te-luke-stocker-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 4.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Craig |date=November 4, 2021 |title=Vikings Place Bradbury on Reserve/COVID-19; Sign Stocker to 53 |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/garrett-bradbury-covid-19-luke-stocker-nate-orchard |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Vikings.com}} He appeared in 12 games for the Vikings in the 2021 season.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2011 | TB
| 14 || 9 || 12 || 92 || 7.7 || 24 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2012 | TB
| 16 || 11 || 16 || 165 || 10.3 || 33 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | TB
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | TB
| 13 || 7 || 7 || 41 || 5.9 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2015 | TB
| 14 || 13 || 9 || 61 || 6.8 || 14 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | TB
| 12 || 10 || 5 || 23 || 4.6 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2 | 2017 | TB
| 9 || 3 || 3 || 18 || 6.0 || 8 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| TEN
| 3 || 2 || 1 || 12 || 12.0 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2018 | TEN
| 16 || 11 || 15 || 165 || 11.0 || 31 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | ATL
| 15 || 9 || 8|| 53 || 6.6 || 18 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | ATL
| 16 || 13 || 7|| 63 || 9.0 || 25 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00.htm Career] || 130 || 91 || 83 || 693 || 7.26 || 33 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 |
Personal life
Stocker is married and has three kids.{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker |url=https://www.titansonline.com/team/players-roster/luke-stocker/ |website=TitansOnline.com}} Stocker is an avid bass fisherman.{{Cite web |last=Holder |first=Stephen F. |date=November 13, 2011 |title=SOME FISHING, SOME FOOTBALL |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2011/11/13/some-fishing-some-football/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|pfr=24891}}
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/luke-stocker/1743 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{Buccaneers2011DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stocker, Luke}}
Category:Players of American football from Lexington, Kentucky
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:Tennessee Titans players
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Minnesota Vikings players
Category:Coaches of American football from Kentucky