Zach Hocker

Zach Hocker
No. 2
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1991-08-23) August 23, 1991 (age 33)
Russellville, Arkansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:191 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:Russellville (AR)
College:Arkansas
NFL draft:2014 / round: 7 / pick: 228
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Field goals:10
Field goals attempted:14
Field goal %:71.4
Longest field goal:51
Touchbacks:9
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Zach Hocker (born August 23, 1991) is an American former professional football placekicker. He was selected by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft.[1] He was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early life

Hocker was a two-time All-State player at Russellville High School in Arkansas and was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He played college football at the University of Arkansas from 2010 to 2013 and made 61 of 79 field goal attempts during that time.[2]

Professional career

Washington Redskins

Hocker signed a four-year, $2.1 million contract with the Washington Redskins on May 16, 2014, but was released on August 30, 2014 during final roster cuts before the start of the 2014 season in favor of Kai Forbath.[3][4]

Miami Dolphins

Hocker signed a futures contract with the Miami Dolphins on January 8, 2015, but was waived three months later.[5][6][7]

New Orleans Saints

On May 17, 2015, the New Orleans Saints signed Hocker, who beat out Dustin Hopkins to start the 2015 season as the Saints kicker.[8] However, Hocker went on to miss 4 of 13 field goals over the first six games of the season, including a potentially game-winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4.[8] The Saints consequently released Hocker on October 19, 2015 and signed Forbath. Forbath had earlier been released by the Washington Redskins and been replaced with Hopkins, whom Hocker beat in camp. ESPN referred to the situation as a continuation of the "NFL's kicking carousel."[9][10]

St. Louis Rams

On November 28, 2015, Hocker signed with the St. Louis Rams after their regular kicker, Greg Zuerlein, was injured.[11] Hocker was active in two games before Zuerlein returned, and was released on December 15, 2015.[12]

Cincinnati Bengals

On January 5, 2016, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Hocker to a futures contract.[13] On August 29, 2016, Hocker was waived by the Bengals.[14]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On August 13, 2017, Hocker was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[15] He was released on September 2, 2017.[16]

References

  1. ^ NFL Draft Profile
  2. ^ "Zach Hocker Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  3. ^ Jones, Mike (May 16, 2014). "Redskins sign six of eight draft picks to rookie deals". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  4. ^ Clarke, Liz (August 30, 2014). "Redskins cut rookie kicker Zach Hocker, sparing Kai Forbath". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  5. ^ Dwork, David (January 8, 2015). "Dolphins Sign K Hocker To Compete With Caleb Sturgis". CBSLocal.com. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  6. ^ Wilkening, Mike (May 5, 2015). "Dolphins waive CB Lowell Rose, two others". NBCSports.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  7. ^ Nogle, Kevin (May 5, 2015). "Dolphins Waive T.J. Heath, Zach Hocker, and Lowell Rose". SB Nation. Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Wilkening, Mike (May 17, 2015). "Reports: Saints add PK Zach Hocker, two rookies". NBCSports.com. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  9. ^ "Zach Hocker Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Saints release Zach Hocker, continue the NFL's kicking carousel". Fox Sports. Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "St. Louis Rams Sign Kicker Zach Hocker, Release TE Justice Cunningham". Arch Authority. November 28, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  12. ^ "Zach Hocker: Released by the Rams". CBS Sports. December 15, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  13. ^ Marcum, Jason (January 5, 2016). "Bengals add Jayson DiManche to practice squad, sign 3 players to futures contracts". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  14. ^ Hobson, Geoff. "DiManche, Hocker among first Bengals cuts". Bengals.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  15. ^ Smith, Scott (August 13, 2017). "Bucs Add Kicker Zach Hocker". Buccaneers.com.
  16. ^ Smith, Scott (September 2, 2017). "Wide Variety of Moves Gets Bucs to 53". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017.