Jack Tocho

Jack Zephania Tocho (born November 2, 1995) is an American football safety who currently plays for the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL. He played college football at North Carolina State University, and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Jack Tocho
No. 29 – Los Angeles Wildcats
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1995-11-02) November 2, 1995
Gastonia, North Carolina
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:Independence
(Charlotte, North Carolina)
College:NC State
NFL Draft:2017 / Round: 7 / Pick: 245
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Unsigned draft pick
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, Tocho started playing football at age eight. He attended Independence High School, where he played cornerback, running back and safety for coach Bill Geiler. Tocho started at linebacker on varsity during his sophomore season because of a void at the position. In 2011, Tocho was moved back to cornerback for his junior year where he earned All-Southwestern Conference honors after ending the campaign with five interceptions, 28 pass breakups, 48 tackles, a forced fumble, a blocked kick, and two touchdowns on kickoff returns. During the summer, Tocho was timed at 4.49 in the 40-yard dash and recorded a 35.5-inch vertical jump at the Under Armour Combine, after checking in at 6'0" and 175 pounds.[1] As a senior, he was named Independence's 2012 Scholar Athlete of the Year and was named to the Associated Press All-State team after helping lead his team to a 10-3 record and second round of the state playoffs. He totalled 57 tackles (49 of them solo), six interceptions and returned three kicks for touchdowns in his final season.[2] Tocho also participated in track and field for the Patriots.[3]

Despite his combine numbers and on-field accomplishments, Tocho was an under the radar prospect and only NC State and Virginia expressed interest in him. After taking a visit to NC State, he committed to play college football for the Wolfpack on January 18, 2013.[4]

Professional career

Tocho ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL Combine.[5]

External video
Tocho performing at the NFL Combine
Tocho gets drafted by Minnesota
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 1⁄4 in
(1.84 m)		 202 lb
(92 kg)		 31 5⁄8 in
(0.80 m)		 9 3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.52 s 1.56 s 2.62 s 4.34 s 7.11 s 35 in
(0.89 m)		 10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		 21 reps
All values are from NFL Combine except 40-yard dash and agility drills[6]

Minnesota Vikings

Tocho was selected in the seventh round (245th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2017 NFL Draft.[7] Tocho is the fifth player in Vikings history to be drafted from North Carolina State, joining running back Ted Brown, cornerback Dewayne Washington, safety Brian Williams and linebacker Audie Cole. Tocho was the only player in the defensive back position group taken by the Vikings in the 2017 draft.[8] On September 2, 2017, Tocho was waived by the Vikings.[9] He was signed to their practice squad on September 20, 2017.[10] He was released on November 1, 2017, and was re-signed on November 14.[11][12] He was released again on December 12, 2017, but was re-signed three days later.[13][14] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on January 29, 2018.[15]

On September 1, 2018, Tocho was waived by the Vikings and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[16][17] He was released on September 19, 2018.[18]

Washington Redskins

On December 19, 2018, Tocho was signed to the Washington Redskins practice squad.[19]

Birmingham Iron

In 2019, Tocho joined the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football.[20]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tocho was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 5, 2019, three days after the AAF suspended football operations.[21] He was released on May 9, 2019.[22]

Los Angeles Wildcats

In October 2019, Tocho was selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats in the 2020 XFL Draft.[23]

Personal life

Tocho's parents, David and Gertrude, immigrated to the United States from Kenya in pursuit of a better life.[24] His middle name, Zephania, comes from his paternal grandfather. Tocho was a two-time Academic All-ACC performer, qualifying for the honor by maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average during his undergraduate academic career. He earned his undergraduate degree in finance with a minor in accounting in just three years.

References
  2. [ ]
  3. Jack Tocho track and field profile
  4. Jack Tocho recruiting profile
  5. "Vikings' final 2017 pick is NC State corner Jack Tocho - 1500 ESPN Twin Cities". 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. April 29, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  6. *Jack Tocho | North Carolina State, CB : 2017 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
  7. Peters, Craig. "Vikings Select N.C. State DB Jack Tocho". Vikings.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  8. Young, Lindsey (May 5, 2017). "5 Things to Know About New Vikings CB Jack Tocho". Vikings.com.
  9. "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Roster". Vikings.com. September 2, 2017.
  10. "Vikings Sign S Jack Tocho to Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 20, 2017.
  11. Peters, Craig (November 1, 2017). "Vikings Make 3 Practice Squad Moves". Vikings.com.
  12. "Vikings sign S Jack Tocho to practice squad". USAToday.com. November 14, 2017.
  13. "Vikings Sign Former Lions Tackle Storm Norton to Practice Squad". Vikings.com. December 12, 2017.
  14. Peters, Craig (December 15, 2017). "Vikings Elevate Kyle Carter, Place Blake Bell on IR". Vikings.com.
  15. "Vikings sign Jack Tocho, Storm Norton to reserve/futures deals". TwinCities.com. January 29, 2018.
  16. "Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster". Vikings.com. September 1, 2018.
  17. "Vikings Claim P Matt Wile Via Waivers, Sign 9 Others To Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 2, 2018.
  18. "Jack Tocho: Contract terminated by Vikings". CBSSports.com. September 20, 2018.
  19. "Redskins Sign Jeremy Reaves To Active Roster, Place Danny Johnson On Injured Reserve". Redskins.com. December 19, 2018.
  20. Inabinett, Mark (January 30, 2019). "Birmingham Iron sets roster for inaugural season". The Birmingham News. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  21. "Steelers sign Hassenauer, Tocho". Steelers.com. April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  22. Alper, Josh (May 9, 2019). "Steelers release Matt McCrane, Jack Tocho". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  23. Bender, Bill (October 21, 2019). "XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league". Sporting News. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  24. "2017 NFL Draft Profile: Jack Tocho". NFL.com. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
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