Eric Stokes (cornerback)

Last updated

Eric Stokes
Eric Stokes WFT vs Packers (51631941214) (cropped).jpg
Stokes with the Packers in 2021
No. 21 – Green Bay Packers
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1999-03-01) March 1, 1999 (age 25)
Covington, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Eastside (Covington, Georgia)
College: Georgia (2017–2020)
NFL draft: 2021  / Round: 1 / Pick: 29
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:87
Pass deflections:14
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Eric Jamane Stokes (born March 1, 1999) is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia and was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Contents

Early years

Stokes attended Eastside High School in Covington, Georgia, where he played football and ran track. [1] He committed to play college football at the University of Georgia in 2017. [2]

College career

After redshirting his first year at Georgia in 2017, Stokes played in 13 of 14 games with three starts in 2018 and finished the season with 20 tackles. [3] [4] [5] As a sophomore in 2019, he started 13 of 14 games, recording 38 tackles and one sack. [6] He returned as a starter in 2020 where he recorded his first career interception, which he returned for a touchdown, in the opening game of the season. He finished the season with four interceptions and two touchdowns.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+5⁄8 in
(1.84 m)		194 lb
(88 kg)		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m)		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		4.29 s1.50 s2.56 s4.36 s6.96 s38.5 in
(0.98 m)		10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)		14 reps
All values from Pro Day [7] [8] [9]

Stokes was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round (29th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. [10] He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 2, 2021, [11] worth $11.93 million, including a $6.03 million signing bonus. [12]

Stokes was named the third outside cornerback on the depth chart to start the season. Following continued struggles and injuries by starter Kevin King through the first two weeks of the season, Stokes was named the starter opposite cornerback Jaire Alexander ahead of the Packers' Week 3 game against the San Francisco 49ers. The following week, he recorded his first NFL interception off a pass from Ben Roethlisberger during a 27–17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. [13] Starting from Week 5, and with exception of the Packers' Week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Stokes started every game for the Packers.

Stokes entered the 2022 season as the starting cornerback for the Packers. His play declined as the Packers defense struggled in his sophomore season. During a Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions, he exited the game with an ankle injury. Head coach Matt LaFleur later informed the press that Stokes would miss the rest of the season with his injury. [14]

Stokes began the 2023 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. [15] He was activated on October 21, 2023, [16] but placed on injured reserve four days later with a hamstring injury. [17] He was activated on December 16 and returned to the injured reserve list two weeks later. [18] [19]

On May 2, 2024, the Packers declined the fifth-year option on Stokes' contract, making him a free agent after the 2024 season. [20]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFRYdsTD
2021 GB 16145543120100.000140000
2022 GB 99262150000.00000000
2023 GB 326510000.00000000
Career28258769180100.000140000
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFRYdsTD
2021 GB 114310000.00000000
Career114310000.00000000
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Darby</span> American football player (born 1994)

Ronald Darby is an American football cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, and Baltimore Ravens. A world-class sprinter during his high school years, Darby won medals at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casey Hayward</span> American football player (born 1989)

Casey Hayward Jr. is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Vanderbilt. Hayward was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft and has played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Packers, San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Verrett</span> American football player (born 1991)

Jason Verrett is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at TCU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlon Humphrey</span> American football player (born 1996)

Marlon N. Humphrey is an American football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He attended Hoover High School, where he was named to the USA Today All-USA high school football team in 2012 and 2013. During his tenure, he won a silver medal in the 110 metres hurdles at the 2013 World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine. He also was named as a USA Today All-American Track and Field Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bashaud Breeland</span> American football player (born 1992)

Bashaud Breeland is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Clemson, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs, having won Super Bowl LIV with the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trae Waynes</span> American football player (born 1992)

Trae Waynes is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round, 11th overall of the 2015 NFL draft. He also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Jackson III</span> American football player (born 1992)

William Jackson III is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Houston Cougars and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Jackson was also a member of the Washington Football Team / Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chidobe Awuzie</span> American football player (born 1995)

Chidobe Richard Awuzie is an American football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidney Jones (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Sidney Jones IV is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rasul Douglas</span> American football player (born 1995)

Rasul Douglas is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at West Virginia, and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin King (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Kevin Charles King is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington, where he was a four-year starter for the team as a safety and a cornerback. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaire Alexander</span> American football player (born 1997)

Jaire Zakar Alexander is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisville, and was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avonte Maddox</span> American football player (born 1996)

Avonte Maddox is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandon Sullivan</span> American football player (born 1996)

Chandon Lamar Sullivan is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Georgia State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darnell Savage</span> American football player (born 1997)

Darnell Henry Savage Jr. is an American football safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Maryland, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Ballentine</span> Jamaican-born American football player (born 1996)

Corey Ballentine is a Jamaican professional American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washburn, and was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has also played for the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duke Shelley</span> American football player (born 1996)

YaQuis Bertron "Duke" Shelley is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Kansas State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julian Blackmon</span> American football player (born 1998)

Julian Blackmon is an American football safety for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah.

Robert Rochell is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Central Arkansas before being selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zyon Gilbert</span> American football player (born 1999)

Zyon Gilbert is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida Atlantic and was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Dennis, Ryne (August 28, 2019). "Eric Stokes has turned blazing speed into reliability at corner". Online Athens. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  2. ↑ Miller, Bob (February 1, 2017). "Covington, Georgia's Eric Stokes Commits to UGA". Bulldawg Illustrated. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ Weiszer, Marc (May 4, 2019). "Eric Stokes on fast track in UGA secondary". Online Athens. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  4. ↑ Stovall, Gabriel (September 29, 2018). "For Eric Stokes, his UGA waiting game is beginning to pay off". The Covington News. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  5. ↑ Paschall, David (November 14, 2018). "Eric Stokes could be nearing his first start for Georgia". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  6. ↑ Emerson, Seth (October 31, 2019). "The Ballad of 'Dirty Red': How Eric Stokes found a home at Georgia, and Georgia found its lockdown cornerback". The Athletic. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Eric Stokes Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". National Football League. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Eric Stokes, Georgia, CB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Eric Stokes 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  10. ↑ "2021 NFL Draft: Packers select Georgia CB Eric Stokes in first round, No. 29 overall". Packers.com. April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Packers sign CB Eric Stokes". Packers.com. June 2, 2021. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  12. ↑ Boston, Freddie (June 3, 2021). "Packers: Details of first-round pick Eric Stokes' contract". Lombardi Ave. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  13. ↑ Riley, Connor (October 5, 2021). "Eric Stokes records his first career interception to highlight former Bulldogs in the NFL". DawgNation.com. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Packers sign CB Corey Ballentine to active roster". Packers.com. November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Packers announce roster moves". Packers.com. August 29, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Packers activate CB Eric Stokes off PUP". packers.com. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Packers place S Darnell Savage, CB Eric Stokes on injured reserve". Packers.com. October 25, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Packers activate CB Eric Stokes off injured reserve". Packers.com. December 16, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Packers sign S Benny Sapp III to active roster". Packers.com. December 30, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Packers decline CB Eric Stokes' 5th-year option". Acme Packing Company. SB Nation. May 3, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.