John Stocco (born June 14, 1983, inRichfield, Minnesota) is a former collegiate and professionalAmerican footballquarterback. Stocco played football for theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison,starting atquarterback for theBadgers during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He wasnot drafted in the2007 NFL draft.
He played professionally in Italy in theItalian Football League for theRhinos Milano.
Stocco is now a teacher at Chicago Bulls College Prep located inChicago,Illinois, which is a part of theNoble Network of Charter Schools.
Inhigh school, Stocco was a teammate ofLarry Fitzgerald, at theAcademy of Holy Angels inMinneapolis,Minnesota. Out of high school, he was drafted in the 45th round by the Major League Baseball team the Minnesota Twins, but decided to go to college instead. "Had I been drafted higher, it might have been a tougher decision," he said in a 2003 ESPN online chat session.[1] He was recruited by otherBig Ten teams such asMichigan,Minnesota,Illinois,Iowa,Purdue,Penn State,Ohio State,Northwestern, andMichigan State. Stocco eventually settled on Wisconsin.
Stocco began his career in2003 as a backup toJim Sorgi, with limited action in only three games with 17 attempts and 10 completions. Stocco was promoted to the starting position at the beginning of the2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Stocco was a steady leader, guiding the Badgers to a 9–0 start and as high as #4 in the national rankings. Stocco was limited as a passer, with the Badgers rushing game providing most of theoffense behindrunning backAnthony Davis and a strongdefense led byAll-Americandefensive endErasmus James. With hopes of aRose Bowl invitation, the Badgers collapsed down the stretch, ending the season with two losses to fall out ofBCS contention. The Badgers accepted a bid to theOutback Bowl, where they were defeated byGeorgia, 24–21. Stocco completed 52.6% of his passes.
In2005,Barry Alvarez's final season, the Badgers' offense was considerably more potent, withAll-American candidatesBrian Calhoun,Brandon Williams, andJoe Thomas leading the way. Stocco continued his steady play and saw an increase in his numbers, completing over 60% of his passes for nearly 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Badgers reached as high as #12 in the rankings after an 8–1 start, but consecutive losses to Penn State and Iowa ended their Big Ten title hopes. The Badgers finished the season 9-3 and accepted an invitation to theCapital One Bowl againstAuburn. The Badgers were 11-pointunderdogs, but Stocco guided the Badgers to a commanding 24–10 victory to send Alvarez out a winner in his final game.
Stocco was the most experienced quarterback in the Big Ten entering his senior year in2006, which was therookie season forBret Bielema. Stocco struggled with a new core of receivers, culminating in a loss to Michigan in Week 5. The Badgers got back on track and in sync as the season progressed, behind the legs of freshman sensationP. J. Hill, Jr., as the Badgers won their final eight games. During this time, Stocco's consecutive starts streak ended when he was injured in a home game against Penn state; however, the Badgers reached the top ten in the rankings and again accepted a bid to the Capital One Bowl, where they defeatedDarren McFadden and theArkansas Razorbacks. Stocco threw for 206 yards and two crucial touchdowns in the gritty 17–14 win, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player in his final collegiate game. The Badgers ended the season 12-1 and with a #7 ranking.
Stocco was 29-7 as a starter at Wisconsin. He completed 57.4% of his passes for 7,227 yards, 47 touchdowns and 22interceptions.
Stocco declared for the2007 NFL draft following the 2006 season but was not selected. He was invited for a three-day tryout with theGreen Bay Packers but did not get a contract; he was subsequently invited to try out with theNew York Giants but did not make the roster.[2]
In September 2007, Stocco was invited for a spot on the roster of the Michigan team that would have participated in the proposedAll American Football League the league folded before playing a game.[3]
In December 2007, Stocco signed with an Italian team,Rhinos Milano,[4] playing in theItalian Football League, the top league inItaly. In the team's last regular season game in June 2008, Stocco suffered aseparated shoulder injury. The Rhinos finished the season with a 4-6 record.[5]
In February 2016, Stocco was hired by the University of Wisconsin, as Director of Development in the athletics department.[6][7]