D. J. Shockley
Encyclopedia
Donald Eugene "D. J." Shockley (born March 23, 1983) is an American football
quarterback
who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons
in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Georgia
.
Shockley has also played for the Omaha Nighthawks
.
at North Clayton High School
. His father, Don Shockley, was his team's head coach. As a senior, he threw for 1,861 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as rushing for 864 yards and eight more TDs. He was a highly recruited QB earning various national accolades: 2000 USA Today
All-USA Second Team, 2000 Parade Magazine All-America Team, SUPERPREP Elite 50, All-America, and ranked as the top QB in the country, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Top 50 in Georgia, Marvelous Metro Eleven and Class AAAA All-State Quarterback, 2000 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Quarterback.
, made Shockley a priority recruit, and he is generally regarded as Richt's first official recruit at Georgia.
Richt ultimately chose redshirt freshman David Greene to be the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs in 2001, while Shockley was redshirted. Greene went on to set the NCAA record for wins as a starting quarterback in a career. But over the course of those 4 years, Shockley did see some playing time in a modified dual-quarterback system.
In 2002 as a redshirt
freshman, playing in parts of 10 games, Shockley completed 32-of-52 passes (61.5%) for 615 yards with 5 TDs and 2 interceptions. He rushed for 111 yards and 2 more TDs. He also threw a 37-yard TD pass in the Nokia Sugar Bowl
win over Florida State University
as the Bulldogs wrapped up their first SEC Championship season in 20 years.
In 2003, Shockley injured his knee midway through the season and finished with 9 completions on 21 passes for 88 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. He added another 101 yards and a rushing touchdown.
In 2004, Shockley completed 26-of-57 (45.6%) passes for 464 yards with 4 touchdowns, 1 interception and adding 113 yards rushing. Shockley earned an SEC Academic Honor Roll award in 2004 as a Speech Communications major. He is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma
fraternity.
Following the Bulldogs opening win against #18 Boise State
, Shockley was named Cingular All-America Player of the Week for his 374-yard, 6 touchdown effort against the Broncos as the UGA signal caller completed 16-of-24 passing attempts for 289 yards while rushing five times for 85 yards. Shockley was also named Sporting News Player of the Week and SEC Player of the Week, and nominated for USATODAY.com Player of the Week after the Boise State game. He was one of 11 Division I-A football players named to AFCA
's National Good Works Team, which recognizes "players who have devoted themselves to exemplary community service." He was also chosen as a semi-finalist for the 2005 Draddy Trophy.
In 2005, Shockley played in 12 of Georgia's 13 games, completing 173-of-310 (55.8%) passes for 2,588 yards with 5 interceptions (1.6%) and 24 touchdowns. He also gained 322 yards rushing in 78 attempts with 4 touchdowns. Shockley had a longest run of 40 yards and completed a 56 yard touchdown pass to tight end Martrez Milner for his longest pass play of the season - as both of these highlights occurred in the same game on Sep. 3, 2005 against Boise State.
In Georgia's 7th game of the season against Arkansas, Shockley had to leave early in the 2nd quarter with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Because of his injury, he had to sit out Georgia's 8th game of the season against one of the school's most hated rivals, the University of Florida
Gators, in Florida vs. Georgia Football Classic. Redshirt junior Joe Tereshinski was named the starter, and he finished the game completing 9-of-21 passes for 100 yards and an interception. Georgia lost the game, 14-10.
Shockley returned for the 10th game of the season against the Auburn
Tigers, but despite playing very well, completing 20-of-36 passes for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns and running 7 times for another 40 yards, Georgia lost the game 31-30 on a last-second field goal to fall to 8-2 on the season. After beating Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
14-7, Georgia went on to play the LSU Tigers
in the SEC
Championship game. Shockley threw for two touchdowns, ran for another and Georgia
won 34-14 to claim the 2005 SEC Championship
title. Shockley was named the MVP of the SEC championship game.
Georgia's football season and Shockley's collegiate career ended with a 38-35 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers
in the Sugar Bowl on January 2, 2006. Despite the loss, Shockley had an excellent performance throwing for 277 yards off 20-of-33 passing attempts with 3 touchdowns while rushing for 71 yards on 8 carries.
Shockley won the National Bobby Bowden Award, finished 3rd in the voting for Associated Press
Player of the Year, behind Reggie Bush
and Vince Young
.
in the 2006 NFL Draft
. He was the first University of Georgia
player selected by the Falcons since 1994.
On August 27, 2006, then Falcons head coach Jim Mora
announced that Shockley had made the team as the 3rd string quarterback (over Bryan Randall
) and would lead the scout team.
Shockley missed the entire 2007 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament
and damage to the medial collateral ligament
in his left knee during a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills
.
After the Atlanta Falcons picked Matt Ryan
with their third overall pick in the 2008 draft, first year coach Mike Smith made every position open for competition. In a tough battle, hometown favorite Shockley won the third string job over Joey Harrington
. Subsequently, Harrington was released by the Falcons shortly after the announcement.
On September 5, 2009, Shockley was cut by the Falcons, but was signed to the practice squad on September 6. He was released from the practice squad October 21 to make room on the roster for running back
Antone Smith
. He was re-signed to the practice squad on December 1. After his contract expired following the season, Shockley was re-signed to a future contract on January 4, 2010. He was waived again on July 9.
. Omaha finished the season at 3–5, and Shockley completed 2-of-5 passes for 30 yards in limited playing time. He was re-signed by the team on July 15, 2011. The Nighthawks released him during training camp on September 2, 2011.
On September 27, 2011 Shockley was resigned by the Omaha Nighthawks due to their current starter, Eric Crouch
, being placed on injured reserve.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
.
Shockley has also played for the Omaha Nighthawks
Omaha Nighthawks
The Omaha Nighthawks are a professional American football team based in Omaha, Nebraska, which plays in the United Football League, joining the league as an expansion team in 2010. For their first season, the Nighthawks played their home games at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium before moving to TD...
.
Early years
Shockley played high school footballHigh school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
at North Clayton High School
North Clayton High School
North Clayton High School is a four-year public high school located in College Park, Georgia, United States, as part of the Clayton County Public Schools....
. His father, Don Shockley, was his team's head coach. As a senior, he threw for 1,861 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as rushing for 864 yards and eight more TDs. He was a highly recruited QB earning various national accolades: 2000 USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
All-USA Second Team, 2000 Parade Magazine All-America Team, SUPERPREP Elite 50, All-America, and ranked as the top QB in the country, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Top 50 in Georgia, Marvelous Metro Eleven and Class AAAA All-State Quarterback, 2000 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Quarterback.
Collegiate career
UGA's new incoming coach in 2001, Mark RichtMark Richt
Mark Richt is the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team. His previous affiliations include fourteen years at Florida State University, where he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and one year as offensive coordinator at East Carolina University.-Early...
, made Shockley a priority recruit, and he is generally regarded as Richt's first official recruit at Georgia.
Richt ultimately chose redshirt freshman David Greene to be the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs in 2001, while Shockley was redshirted. Greene went on to set the NCAA record for wins as a starting quarterback in a career. But over the course of those 4 years, Shockley did see some playing time in a modified dual-quarterback system.
In 2002 as a redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
freshman, playing in parts of 10 games, Shockley completed 32-of-52 passes (61.5%) for 615 yards with 5 TDs and 2 interceptions. He rushed for 111 yards and 2 more TDs. He also threw a 37-yard TD pass in the Nokia Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
win over Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
as the Bulldogs wrapped up their first SEC Championship season in 20 years.
In 2003, Shockley injured his knee midway through the season and finished with 9 completions on 21 passes for 88 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. He added another 101 yards and a rushing touchdown.
In 2004, Shockley completed 26-of-57 (45.6%) passes for 464 yards with 4 touchdowns, 1 interception and adding 113 yards rushing. Shockley earned an SEC Academic Honor Roll award in 2004 as a Speech Communications major. He is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma
Phi Beta Sigma
Phi Beta Sigma is a predominantly African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I...
fraternity.
Following the Bulldogs opening win against #18 Boise State
Boise State University
Boise State University is a public university located in Boise, Idaho. Originally founded in 1932 as a junior college by the Episcopal Church, the university became an independent institution in 1934, and has been awarding baccalaureate and master degrees since 1965...
, Shockley was named Cingular All-America Player of the Week for his 374-yard, 6 touchdown effort against the Broncos as the UGA signal caller completed 16-of-24 passing attempts for 289 yards while rushing five times for 85 yards. Shockley was also named Sporting News Player of the Week and SEC Player of the Week, and nominated for USATODAY.com Player of the Week after the Boise State game. He was one of 11 Division I-A football players named to AFCA
AFCA
AFCA can refer to:* AFC Ajax* A.F.C. Aldermaston* Air Force Communications Agency* American Football Coaches Association* American Foundation for Children with AIDS* Antique Fan Collectors Association* Australian Film Critics Association...
's National Good Works Team, which recognizes "players who have devoted themselves to exemplary community service." He was also chosen as a semi-finalist for the 2005 Draddy Trophy.
In 2005, Shockley played in 12 of Georgia's 13 games, completing 173-of-310 (55.8%) passes for 2,588 yards with 5 interceptions (1.6%) and 24 touchdowns. He also gained 322 yards rushing in 78 attempts with 4 touchdowns. Shockley had a longest run of 40 yards and completed a 56 yard touchdown pass to tight end Martrez Milner for his longest pass play of the season - as both of these highlights occurred in the same game on Sep. 3, 2005 against Boise State.
In Georgia's 7th game of the season against Arkansas, Shockley had to leave early in the 2nd quarter with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Because of his injury, he had to sit out Georgia's 8th game of the season against one of the school's most hated rivals, the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
Gators, in Florida vs. Georgia Football Classic. Redshirt junior Joe Tereshinski was named the starter, and he finished the game completing 9-of-21 passes for 100 yards and an interception. Georgia lost the game, 14-10.
Shockley returned for the 10th game of the season against the Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
Tigers, but despite playing very well, completing 20-of-36 passes for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns and running 7 times for another 40 yards, Georgia lost the game 31-30 on a last-second field goal to fall to 8-2 on the season. After beating Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets is the name used for all of the intercollegiate athletic teams that play for the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. The teams have also been nicknamed the Ramblin' Wreck, Engineers, Blacksmiths, and Golden Tornado. There are 8 men's and 7 women's teams that...
14-7, Georgia went on to play the LSU Tigers
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
in the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Championship game. Shockley threw for two touchdowns, ran for another and Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
won 34-14 to claim the 2005 SEC Championship
SEC Championship Game
The SEC Championship Game refers to the game determining the Southeastern Conference's football season champion. The championship game pits the SEC Western Division representative against the Eastern Division representative in a game held after the regular season has been completed. Thus far, nine...
title. Shockley was named the MVP of the SEC championship game.
Georgia's football season and Shockley's collegiate career ended with a 38-35 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
in the Sugar Bowl on January 2, 2006. Despite the loss, Shockley had an excellent performance throwing for 277 yards off 20-of-33 passing attempts with 3 touchdowns while rushing for 71 yards on 8 carries.
Shockley won the National Bobby Bowden Award, finished 3rd in the voting for Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
Player of the Year, behind Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
.
Atlanta Falcons
Even though many mock drafts projected him to be taken earlier, the 6-0⅞, 214-pound Shockley was drafted in the 7th round (223rd overall) by the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. He was the first University of Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
player selected by the Falcons since 1994.
On August 27, 2006, then Falcons head coach Jim Mora
Jim L. Mora
James Lawrence "Jim" Mora is an American former NCAA defensive back and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for the NFL Network....
announced that Shockley had made the team as the 3rd string quarterback (over Bryan Randall
Bryan Randall
Bryan Randall is a professional gridiron football quarterback who currently plays for the Richmond Raiders of the Southern Indoor Football League. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
) and would lead the scout team.
Shockley missed the entire 2007 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
and damage to the medial collateral ligament
Medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament of the knee is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. It is also known as the tibial collateral ligament, or abbreviated as the MCL.- Structure :It is a broad, flat, membranous band,...
in his left knee during a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
After the Atlanta Falcons picked Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
with their third overall pick in the 2008 draft, first year coach Mike Smith made every position open for competition. In a tough battle, hometown favorite Shockley won the third string job over Joey Harrington
Joey Harrington
John Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986...
. Subsequently, Harrington was released by the Falcons shortly after the announcement.
On September 5, 2009, Shockley was cut by the Falcons, but was signed to the practice squad on September 6. He was released from the practice squad October 21 to make room on the roster for running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Antone Smith
Antone Smith
Antoine Kemp-Smith is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
. He was re-signed to the practice squad on December 1. After his contract expired following the season, Shockley was re-signed to a future contract on January 4, 2010. He was waived again on July 9.
Omaha Nighthawks
Shockley did not allow much time for downtime as a professional football player following his release from the Atlanta Falcons. He agreed to attend a minicamp with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL on July 19, 2010. Shockley signed with the team on August 23 and became a backup quarterback playing behind former Philadelphia Eagles' Jeff GarciaJeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
. Omaha finished the season at 3–5, and Shockley completed 2-of-5 passes for 30 yards in limited playing time. He was re-signed by the team on July 15, 2011. The Nighthawks released him during training camp on September 2, 2011.
On September 27, 2011 Shockley was resigned by the Omaha Nighthawks due to their current starter, Eric Crouch
Eric Crouch
Eric Eugene Crouch is an American quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks. He also is a TV sports analyst and recreational equipment vendor....
, being placed on injured reserve.