Product Code Database
Luke Tobias Joeckel (;The German language surname Joeckel is pronounced . born November 6, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars second overall in the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, starting all 37 games at left tackle from 2010 to 2012. In his final year, he won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's top college football interior lineman, and was named a unanimous All-American. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
In track & field, Joeckel competed in the throwing events. He had top-throws of 13.10 meters (42 ft 11 in) in the shot put and 34.44 meters (112 ft 7 in) in the discus throw.
Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Joeckel was listed as the No. 5 offensive tackle prospect of the class of 2010, behind only Seantrel Henderson, Rob Crisp, Shon Coleman, and James Hurst. Despite growing up as a Red Raiders fan, Joeckel chose Texas A&M over Texas Tech. He also had offers from Alabama, Louisiana State, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, among others.
As a sophomore in 2011, Joeckel started all 13 games again and was a second-team All-Big 12 noselection. He was part of an Aggies offensive front that allowed just nine sacks in 13 games and set school records for total (490.2 yards per game), passing (291.1 yards), and scoring (39.1 points) offense.
As a junior in 2012, Joeckel started all 13 games at left tackle, protecting freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel's blind side as he went on to pass for 3,706 yards over the season, earning him Heisman Trophy, Manning Award, and O'Brien honors. Joeckel himself won the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's top college football interior lineman, and was named a unanimous All-American.
NFL scouts praised his performance against Louisiana State's talented defensive line, in which Joeckel matched-up well against defensive end Sam Montgomery. "I think he is better than Joe Thomas and Matt Kalil," one NFL general manager said according to Pro Football Weekly.
Joeckel played alongside future Atlanta Falcon Jake Matthews, who played right tackle from 2010–2012. When Joeckel left Texas A&M, Matthews switched to left tackle in 2013. In September 2013, after an NFL.com writer asked five NFL executives who was the better player between Matthews and Joeckel, three of the executives said Joeckel.
After the combine, Sports Illustrated still projected Joeckel to be the first player selected in the 2013 NFL Draft. In March 2013, Pat Kirwan of CBSSports.com, projected Joeckel to be selected fourth overall, by the Philadelphia Eagles.
A week before the draft, the Chiefs were believed to take an offensive tackle at No. 1, after having traded for quarterback Alex Smith. Their decision reportedly came down to Joeckel and Eric Fisher. The Chiefs selected Fisher, allowing Joeckel to fall to the Jaguars, who selected him second overall. Joeckel stated that his immediate reaction to not being selected first overall was "not the most pleasant thing ever", though added that he has used it as motivation. Joeckel became the first Aggie offensive lineman selected in the first round since Richmond Webb went ninth overall to the Miami Dolphins in 1990.
Joeckel entered his second season having recovered from the injury during his rookie season. Pro Football Focus viewed him as one of the worst offensive tackles in the NFL in 2014 and held him responsible for eight quarterback sacks. In the 2014 season, Joeckel started all 16 games at left tackle.
In the 2015 season, Joeckel started 14 games at the left tackle position.
On May 2, 2016, it was announced that the Jacksonville Jaguars would not pick up the fifth-year option on Joeckel's contract. On August 30, 2016, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley announced that Joeckel would switch to the left guard position while the newly acquired free agent Kelvin Beachum took over at left tackle.
Joeckel was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2016, following knee surgery.
Overall, Joeckel started 35 games at left tackle from 2013–2015, and four games at left guard in 2016.
|
|
