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.[1]
College career
Stocker played tight end for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2007 to 2010.[2] He scored his first college touchdown in a game against Alabama in the 2007 season.[3] In the 2009 season opener against Western Kentucky, he had two receiving touchdowns in the win.[4] He caught 85 passes for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.[5]
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.[8] 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.[9]
2012 season
Stocker in 2012
During the 2012 season under new head coach Greg Schiano, Stocker finished with 16 receptions for 165 yards and one touchdown.[10]
2013 season
Stocker played in two games before going on injured reserve in the 2013 season.[11]
2014 season
Stocker was mostly healthy during the 2012 season, playing in all but two games (due to a concussion).[12][13]
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.[14] He finished the 2015 season with nine catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.[15]
2016 season
In 2016, Stocker played in 12 games and started ten.[16]
2017 season
On November 28, 2017, Stocker was released by the Buccaneers.[17] Before he was released, he scored a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9.[18]
Tennessee Titans (first stint)
Stocker in 2017
2017 season
On December 4, 2017, Stocker signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.[19] 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.[20] Stocker appeared in his first two postseason games that season.[21]
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.[22] 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.[23] Overall, Stocker finished the 2018 season with 15 receptions for 165 yards and a season-high two touchdowns.[24]
Atlanta Falcons
On March 14, 2019, Stocker signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.[25] In the 2019 season, he appeared in 15 games and started nine.[26]
The Falcons released Stocker on March 16, 2020.[27] He was re-signed on August 14, 2020.[28] In the 2020 season, he appeared in 16 games and started 13.[29]
Tennessee Titans (second stint)
On July 31, 2021, Stocker signed with the Tennessee Titans.[30] He was released on September 2, 2021.[31]
Minnesota Vikings
On October 13, 2021, Stocker was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.[32] He was promoted to the active roster on November 4.[33] He appeared in 12 games for the Vikings in the 2021 season.[34]
^Smith, Scott (November 28, 2017). "Bucs Waive Stocker, Tapp". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
