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 | career_position =te | career_number =88, 80, 35 | 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 = * {{ubl|Tennessee Titans ({{nfly|2023}}–present)}} ** {{ubl|Offensive assistant ({{nfly|2023}})}} ** {{ubl|Assistant tight ends coach ({{nfly|2024}})}} ** {{ubl|Tight ends coach ({{nfly|2025}}–present)}} | statlabel1 = Receptions | statvalue1 = 85 | statlabel2 = Receiving yards | statvalue2 = 705 | statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue3 = 5 | pfr = StocLu00 }}

'''Lucas Aaron Stocker'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00.htm |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> (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. 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==College career== Stocker played tight end at the University of Tennessee for the Volunteers from 2007 to 2010.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He scored his first college touchdown in a game against Alabama in the 2007 season.<ref>{{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}}</ref> During the 2009 season opener against Western Kentucky, Stocker caught two touchdowns in the win.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Stocker finished his collegiate career with 85 receptions for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==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 | wingspan ft = 6 | wingspan in = 6 1/2 | note = All values from the NFL Combine<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="draft">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/2011/rounds/4 |title=Draft Tracker 2011 |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 19, 2026}}</ref> }}

===Tampa Bay Buccaneers=== ====2011 season==== Stocker was selected in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2011 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and signed his contract worth four years on July 28, 2011.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings - September 18th, 2011|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201109180min.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2026-01-29|language=en}}</ref> Stocker finished his rookie year with 12 receptions for 92 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games and nine starts.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

====2012 season==== thumb|150px|Stocker in 2012 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

====2013 season==== In 2013, Stocker played in two games and recorded no statistics before going on injured reserve.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

====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,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Luke Stocker 2014 Game Log|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2026-01-29|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He finished the 2015 season with nine catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in 14 games and 13 starts.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

====2016 season==== In 2016, Stocker recorded five receptions for 23 yards in 12 games and 10 starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}</ref>

====2017 season==== On November 28, 2017, Stocker was released by the Buccaneers.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Before he was released, Stocker had three receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown in nine games and four starts.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Tennessee Titans (first stint)=== ====2017 season==== thumb|270x270px|Stocker in 2017On December 4, 2017, Stocker signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans - December 31st, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712310oti.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2026-01-29|language=en}}</ref> The Titans finished second in the AFC South with a 9–7 record and made the playoffs as a Wild Card team.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Stocker appeared in his first two postseason games that season but made no receptions in either game.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

====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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker 2014 Game Log|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/2014/|access-date=January 1, 2015|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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/ |access-date=April 26, 2026 |website=Tennessean.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Stocker finished the 2018 season with 15 receptions for 165 yards and a career-high two touchdowns in 16 games and 11 starts.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Atlanta Falcons=== On March 14, 2019, Stocker signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.<ref>{{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 |access-date=April 26, 2026 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}</ref> Stocker finished the 2019 season with eight receptions for 53 yards in 15 games and nine starts.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On March 16, 2020, Stocker was released.<ref>{{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}}</ref> However, he was re-signed on August 14.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Stocker finished the 2020 season with seven receptions for 63 yards in 16 games and 13 starts.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Tennessee Titans (second stint)=== On July 31, 2021, Stocker re-signed with the Titans.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was released on September 2.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Minnesota Vikings=== On October 13, 2021, Stocker was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on November 4.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Stocker finished the 2021 season with two receptions for 12 yards in 12 games and no starts.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==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 |- ! 2021 !! MIN | 12 || 0 || 2 || 12 || 6.0 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00.htm Career] || 142 || 91 || 85 || 705 || 8.3 || 33 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 |}

===Postseason=== {| 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 |- ! 2017 !! TEN | 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StocLu00/gamelog/post/ Career]|| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |}

== Coaching career == On July 18, 2023, Stocker was hired as a quality control coach for the Titans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rowland |first=Tyler |date=2023-07-18 |title=Tennessee Titans Add Former TE Luke Stocker to the Coaching Staff |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/onsi/news/tennessee-titans-add-former-te-luke-stocker-to-the-coaching-staff |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Tennessee Titans On SI |language=en-US}}</ref> He was named the assistant tight ends coach in 2024 under new head coach Brian Callahan and was promoted to tight ends coach the following season.<ref>{{cite web | last=Wyatt | first=Jim | title=Titans Promote Luke Stocker to TEs Coach, Announce the Hiring of Veteran Coaches John Fassel (Special Teams) and Tony Oden (Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks), Along With Several Other Changes | website=TennesseeTitans.com | date=2025-01-27 | url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-promote-luke-stocker-to-tes-coach-announce-the-hiring-of-veteran-coaches-john-fassel-special-teams-and-tony-oden-passing-game-coordinator-cornerbacks-along-with-several-other-changes | access-date=2026-04-26}}</ref> Following the firing of Callahan and the end of the 2025 season, new head coach Robert Saleh chose to keep Stocker on his staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-finalize-coaching-staff-under-robert-saleh|work=TennnesseeTitans.com|title=Titans Finalize Coaching Staff Under Robert Saleh|date=February 12, 2026|accessdate=February 13, 2026|first=Jim|last=Wyatt}}</ref>

==Personal life== Stocker and his wife, Daine, have three children: Liam, Collins, and Laurel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luke Stocker |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/team/coaches-roster/luke-stocker |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=www.tennesseetitans.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He is an avid bass fisherman.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{footballstats|pfr=24891}} *[https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/luke-stocker/1743 Tennessee Volunteers bio] *{{commons category-inline}}

{{NFL tight end coaches}} {{Buccaneers2011DraftPicks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stocker, Luke}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people 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 Category:Tennessee Titans coaches Category:American football fullbacks