Tashard Choice
Encyclopedia
Tashard J. Choice is an American football
running back
for the Buffalo Bills
of the National Football League
. He played collegiately
at Georgia Tech
. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft
.
Choice began his collegiate career at The University of Oklahoma but transferred to Georgia Tech
in 2005. Choice played high school football
for Lovejoy High School
, in Lovejoy, Georgia
where he recorded for 40 career all-purpose touchdown
s. Choice graduated with a degree in History, Technology and Society in December 2007, and earned All-Big 12 Academic Honor Roll
in 2004 along with All-ACC
Academic Honor Roll in 2005-2006.
in 2003
. Kejuan Jones and Renaldo Works led the Oklahoma rushing attack into the BCS National Championship Game
. Oklahoma featured Heisman Trophy
winner Jason White quarterbacking the high-powered Sooner offense, which scored over 42 points per game.
, Choice served as a backup to true freshman Adrian Peterson. Peterson went on to be a Heisman Trophy
finalist and Oklahoma found itself in the BCS title game once again. Choice only took 22 carries and gained 100 yards the entire year (all in two games). His best game at Oklahoma saw him garner 71 yards on 16 carries against Texas Tech
. At the end of the season, his mother fell ill and Choice applied for a medical hardship to return home and play for Georgia Tech. His hardship was granted and he transferred to Tech by Spring 2005.
, Choice arrived at Georgia Tech and found himself behind P. J. Daniels
on the depth chart
. Daniels and Choice combined for over 150 all-purpose yards per game and 11 total touchdowns. Choice's most notable appearance occurred in the upset of then #3 Miami Hurricanes
. P. J. Daniels was injured in practice so Choice was announced the starter for the game. He carried the football 29 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. The victory guaranteed Tech a bowl
appearance and solidified Choice's role as a competent starter for the 2006 season.
Choice led the Yellow Jacket rushing attack in 2006
, becoming the first Yellow Jacket to rush for 1,000 yards since P. J. Daniels' in 2003. Choice set several Tech records in 2006. He rushed for over 100 yards 9 times and had 7 straight 100 yard efforts, both Tech records. Choice accounted for 12 of Tech's 42 offensive touchdowns. Choice along with All-American Calvin Johnson
and senior quarterback Reggie Ball
took Tech to the Atlantic Coast Conference
Title Game as the Coastal Division Champions. Choice would also lead Tech to its tenth straight bowl game against West Virginia
in the 2007 Gator Bowl
. Choice sliced and diced his way through opponents in 2006 and worked his way towards becoming a preseason pick on several 2007 Heisman Trophy lists.
Rushing Champion, Choice looked to improve upon 2006's 9-win season with new offensive coordinator John Bond
featuring the single back formation
. Choice had 1,310 yards rushing on 249 attempts and 10 touchdowns even with injuries to his hamstring and to his knee. Choice concluded his NCAA career on the "Smurf Turf" of Boise against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Humanitarian Bowl. He was used in a limited role in Georgia Tech's 40-28 defeat. His best statistical game was against the University of Miami, posting 204 yards rushing with a sore hamstring. he also recorded his first passing touchdown of his career to Taylor Bennett.
by the Dallas Cowboys
. His first career carry came in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns
, where he had 5 carries for 26 yards. He was used primarily on special teams
during his rookie season. He did not receive another carry until week 7 against the St. Louis Rams
, where he had 2 attempts for 13 yards. After injuries to Marion Barber
and Felix Jones
, Choice had his largest workload of the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers
, who had the league’s best rushing defense. Choice amassed 23 carries for 88 yards, and caught 5 passes for 78 yards. The following week against the New York Giants
, Choice scored his first career touchdown. He finished his rookie campaign with 472 yards rushing, 185 yards receiving, and 2 touchdowns.
and Felix Jones
on the depth chart, but injuries gave Choice more playing time in week 3 against the Carolina Panthers
. Choice had 18 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown in a Dallas win. Choice was used by the Dallas Cowboys
mostly in what they called the Razorback formation, a variation of the Wildcat offense
. Choice finished the season with 349 yards rushing, 132 yards receiving, and 3 touchdowns.
. He was waived on October 29. Tashard Choice finishes his stint with the Dallas Cowboys with 250 rushing attempts for 1,139 yards for a 4.6 yard rushing average, 3 fumbles lost and 8 rushing touchdowns. His longest rushing play went for 66 yards. Choice also added 64 receptions for 497 yards for a 7.8 yard reception average and no receiving touchdowns.
. He was waived on November 22.
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...
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...
for 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...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played collegiately
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 Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
.
Choice began his collegiate career at The University of Oklahoma but transferred to Georgia Tech
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
in 2005. Choice played high school football
High 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....
for Lovejoy High School
Lovejoy High School (Georgia)
Lovejoy High School is the southernmost secondary school in Clayton County, United States.Lovejoy is a part of the Clayton County Public Schools...
, in Lovejoy, Georgia
Lovejoy, Georgia
Lovejoy is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,495. During the American Civil War, it was named Lovejoy's Station, and was the site of the Battle of Lovejoy's Station during the Atlanta Campaign of 1864.During the 2000s,...
where he recorded for 40 career all-purpose touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. Choice graduated with a degree in History, Technology and Society in December 2007, and earned All-Big 12 Academic Honor Roll
Dean's List
A Dean's List is a category of students in a college or university who achieve high grades during their stay in an academic term or academic year. In secondary schools, or high schools, the term Consistent Honor List or Honor Roll is more common, but Dean's List and Consistent Honor List are...
in 2004 along with All-ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Academic Honor Roll in 2005-2006.
Redshirt freshman (2003)
Choice redshirtedRedshirt (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...
in 2003
2003 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship. This was the first split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate....
. Kejuan Jones and Renaldo Works led the Oklahoma rushing attack into the BCS National Championship Game
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
. Oklahoma featured Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Jason White quarterbacking the high-powered Sooner offense, which scored over 42 points per game.
Freshman (2004)
In 20042004 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with several undefeated teams vying for a spot in the national title game, triggering controversy. In the 2003 season, no team finished the regular season unbeaten, and five teams finished the season with one loss...
, Choice served as a backup to true freshman Adrian Peterson. Peterson went on to be a Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
finalist and Oklahoma found itself in the BCS title game once again. Choice only took 22 carries and gained 100 yards the entire year (all in two games). His best game at Oklahoma saw him garner 71 yards on 16 carries against Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
. At the end of the season, his mother fell ill and Choice applied for a medical hardship to return home and play for Georgia Tech. His hardship was granted and he transferred to Tech by Spring 2005.
Sophomore (2005)
In 20052005 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the least amount of controversy surrounding the Bowl Championship Series title game in many years.To an extent it was a return to classic football...
, Choice arrived at Georgia Tech and found himself behind P. J. Daniels
P. J. Daniels
Prince Ahadzie Daniels, Jr. is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He played for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League in 2006...
on the depth chart
National Football League depth chart
An NFL depth chart is a contextually enhanced player roster published by each National Football League franchise.-Format:The first column of players listed are part of the starting lineup. Each week in the NFL head coaches are required to submit a list of the players who will start the game in...
. Daniels and Choice combined for over 150 all-purpose yards per game and 11 total touchdowns. Choice's most notable appearance occurred in the upset of then #3 Miami Hurricanes
2005 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 2005 Miami Hurricanes football team began the 2005 season ranked #8/9 after a 9-3 campaign in 2004 that ended with a 27-10 win over rival Florida in the 2005 Peach Bowl.-Season:...
. P. J. Daniels was injured in practice so Choice was announced the starter for the game. He carried the football 29 times for 84 yards and a touchdown. The victory guaranteed Tech a bowl
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
appearance and solidified Choice's role as a competent starter for the 2006 season.
Junior (2006)
2006 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 31, 2006 and, aside from all-star exhibition games that followed, concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game on January 8, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona, where the #2 Florida...
, becoming the first Yellow Jacket to rush for 1,000 yards since P. J. Daniels' in 2003. Choice set several Tech records in 2006. He rushed for over 100 yards 9 times and had 7 straight 100 yard efforts, both Tech records. Choice accounted for 12 of Tech's 42 offensive touchdowns. Choice along with All-American Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson (American football)
Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
and senior quarterback Reggie Ball
Reggie Ball
Reginald Lewis Ball is an American football Quarterback who currently plays for the Bricktown Brawlers of the Indoor Football League He was originally signed by the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
took Tech to the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Title Game as the Coastal Division Champions. Choice would also lead Tech to its tenth straight bowl game against West Virginia
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 2007 Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
. Choice sliced and diced his way through opponents in 2006 and worked his way towards becoming a preseason pick on several 2007 Heisman Trophy lists.
Senior (2007)
Choice led the Yellow Jackets powerful ground game behind four returning starters on the offensive line and veteran fullback Mike Cox. As the reigning ACCAtlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Rushing Champion, Choice looked to improve upon 2006's 9-win season with new offensive coordinator John Bond
John Bond (football coach)
John Bond is the offensive coordinator at Georgia State University as well as the former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' American football team....
featuring the single back formation
Single set Back
Single set back is an offensive base formation in American Football which requires only one running back lined up about five yards behind the quarterback...
. Choice had 1,310 yards rushing on 249 attempts and 10 touchdowns even with injuries to his hamstring and to his knee. Choice concluded his NCAA career on the "Smurf Turf" of Boise against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the Humanitarian Bowl. He was used in a limited role in Georgia Tech's 40-28 defeat. His best statistical game was against the University of Miami, posting 204 yards rushing with a sore hamstring. he also recorded his first passing touchdown of his career to Taylor Bennett.
Awards and honors
The accolades Choice picked up during his college career include:- 2006 Second Team All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
- 2006 ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
All-Bowl Team - 2007 ACC All-Academic Team
- 2007 First Team All-ACC by league's 73-member media association and Rivals.comRivals.comRivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
- 2007 Honorable Mention All-America by Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
Dallas Cowboys
Choice was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. His first career carry came in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, where he had 5 carries for 26 yards. He was used primarily on special teams
American football positions
In American football, each team has eleven players on the field at one time. Because the rules allow unlimited substitution between plays, the types of players on the field for each team differ depending on the situation...
during his rookie season. He did not receive another carry until week 7 against the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
, where he had 2 attempts for 13 yards. After injuries to Marion Barber
Marion Barber III
Marion Sylvester Barber III is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota....
and Felix Jones
Felix Jones
Felix Jones is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. After playing college football and majoring in kinesiology at the University of Arkansas, he was drafted by the Cowboys 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft...
, Choice had his largest workload of the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, who had the league’s best rushing defense. Choice amassed 23 carries for 88 yards, and caught 5 passes for 78 yards. The following week against the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Choice scored his first career touchdown. He finished his rookie campaign with 472 yards rushing, 185 yards receiving, and 2 touchdowns.
2009
Choice began the season behind Marion BarberMarion Barber III
Marion Sylvester Barber III is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota....
and Felix Jones
Felix Jones
Felix Jones is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. After playing college football and majoring in kinesiology at the University of Arkansas, he was drafted by the Cowboys 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft...
on the depth chart, but injuries gave Choice more playing time in week 3 against the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. Choice had 18 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown in a Dallas win. Choice was used by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
mostly in what they called the Razorback formation, a variation of the Wildcat offense
Wildcat offense
|- style="text-align:center;"| || |- style="text-align:center;"| Base Wildcat || Speed Sweep|- style="text-align:center;"| || |- style="text-align:center;"| QB Counter || Split Zone|- style="text-align:center;"...
. Choice finished the season with 349 yards rushing, 132 yards receiving, and 3 touchdowns.
2011
Injuries including a hamstring strain and a minor knee injury allowed him to play in only one out of four preseason games. He began the 2011 season as the backup running back behind Felix JonesFelix Jones
Felix Jones is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. After playing college football and majoring in kinesiology at the University of Arkansas, he was drafted by the Cowboys 22nd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft...
. He was waived on October 29. Tashard Choice finishes his stint with the Dallas Cowboys with 250 rushing attempts for 1,139 yards for a 4.6 yard rushing average, 3 fumbles lost and 8 rushing touchdowns. His longest rushing play went for 66 yards. Choice also added 64 receptions for 497 yards for a 7.8 yard reception average and no receiving touchdowns.
Washington Redskins
On October 31, 2011, Choice was claimed off waivers by the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. He was waived on November 22.