Luke Stocker
Lucas Aaron Stocker 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. 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. Stocker also played for the Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota Vikings.
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.College career
Stocker played tight end at the University of Tennessee for the Volunteers from 2007 to 2010. He scored his first college touchdown in a game against Alabama in the 2007 season. During the 2009 season opener against Western Kentucky, Stocker caught two touchdowns in the win.Stocker finished his collegiate career with 85 receptions for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 season
Stocker was selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and signed his contract worth four years on July 28, 2011. Stocker suffered his first injury on the first day he practiced and was out for a few weeks recovering from a hip injury. Stocker recorded his first career reception on a 17-yard pass from Josh Freeman during a Week 2 24–20 road victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Stocker finished his rookie year with 12 receptions for 92 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games and nine starts.2012 season
During the 2012 season under new head coach Greg Schiano, Stocker saw some slight improvement in play. He also was praised for being a good interior blocker but again had a season shortened by injuries.Stocker finished his second professional season with 16 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and 11 starts.
2013 season
In 2013, Stocker played in two games and recorded no statistics before going on injured reserve.2014 season
Stocker was healthy for most of the season as he only missed two games late in the season due to a concussion. Although his receiving stats were a low seven receptions for 41 yards and no touchdowns, Stocker's game took a turn in a more positive direction as an interior blocker as well as moving to fullback in place of a suspended and injured Javorskie Lane. Stocker's ability to be an effective lead blocker earned great praise and a new role as a blocking full back after the team let the previous season's lead blocking machine Erik Lorig go via free agency. Stocker was also a solid contributor on special teams.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. He finished the 2015 season with nine catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in 14 games and 13 starts.2016 season
In 2016, Stocker recorded five receptions for 23 yards in 12 games and 10 starts.2017 season
On November 28, 2017, Stocker was released by the Buccaneers. Before he was released, Stocker had three receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown in nine games and four starts.Tennessee Titans (first stint)
2017 season
On December 4, 2017, Stocker signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. He caught his first reception as a Titan in the regular season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars for 12 yards during the 15–10 victory. The Titans finished second in the AFC South with a 9–7 record and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Stocker appeared in his first two postseason games that season but made no receptions in either game.2018 season
During the season-opening 27–20 road loss to the Miami Dolphins, Stocker recorded two receptions for 37 yards, including a season-long reception of 31 yards. During Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers in London, he caught two passes for 11 yards and his first touchdown as a Titan on a one-yard pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota in the narrow 20–19 loss. In the season finale against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football, Stocker had a 22-yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert during the 33–17 loss.Stocker finished the 2018 season with 15 receptions for 165 yards and a career-high two touchdowns in 16 games and 11 starts.
Atlanta Falcons
On March 14, 2019, Stocker signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Stocker finished the 2019 season with eight receptions for 53 yards in 15 games and nine starts.On March 16, 2020, Stocker was released. However, he was re-signed on August 14. Stocker finished the 2020 season with seven receptions for 63 yards in 16 games and 13 starts.