Ed Shockley

Linebacker – Senior

Villanova

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?   

Ed Shockley:  5’11 ¾, 235 and my projected forty time is a 4.6.  

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

Ed Shockley:  I am training at XPE with Tony Villani in Boca Raton, FL.  We have about 35 players including four LB’s down here. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your experience at the NFLPA Bowl all-star game.

Ed Shockley:  It was definitely exciting.  It was an honor.  I knew about the game.  I respected this bowl game.  It was exciting to compete against other guys.  We had coaches that played in the NFL.  I wanted to pick their brains and get different knowledge. 

Alex Khvatov:  What did you learn from the coaches during the week of practice?

Ed Shockley:  Coach Darrell Green played in the NFL for 20 years.  He talked to us in meetings.  He is a great person.  He talked to us about being a competitor every day.  He told us to put in the work and develop good habits in practice, which will carry over to the game.

Alex Khvatov:  What type of feedback did you receive from scouts at the NFLPA Bowl?

Ed Shockley:  It was a lot of positive feedback.  A lot of people questioned my speed, but I know that I changed people’s perspective during the week.  My instincts allow me to play fast.

Alex Khvatov:  You stood out during the week of practice.  How happy were you with your performance? 

Ed Shockley:  I can compete at the highest level.  I was happy with my performance.  I know that I need to improve on some things. I should have caught an INT instead of the PBU during the game.     

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from you at the Pro Day? 

Ed Shockley:  My pro day is on March 23^rd at Villanova.  I want to go out there and show them who I am.  I am a versatile LB.  I can play inside and outside.  I have quick hips and quick feet.  I want to show how athletic I am.  I am one of the more athletic LB’s in this class. 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you? 

Ed Shockley:  I attended high school in New Jersey.  I had offers from Villanova, Delaware State and New Hampshire.

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Villanova?

Ed Shockley:  Villanova had a good blend of football and academics.  It is not too far from home.  I wanted to help build the program.  They weren’t conference champions, and I wanted to help the team win.  

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career. 

Ed Shockley:  I came in my freshman year and I started taking reps because one of the LB’s ahead of me went down with an injury. I started playing special teams and then earning more playing time as the season went on.  I was backing up one of our LB’s Don Cherry.  I switched to OLB as a sophomore.  I was a rotational player.  I had a starting role my junior year.  I played all three LB spots my junior season.  I was Third Team All-Conference.  I was First Team All-Conference my senior year.  I had 101 tackles.  I took on more of a leadership role.  

Alex Khvatov:  As a senior, you were named First Team All-CAA, what does that mean to you?

Ed Shockley:  It is a great accomplishment.  It was one of my main goals for the season.  I could have accomplished a lot more.  We didn’t make the playoffs.  We could have gone out on a higher note.  I don’t like losing.  I am a competitor.

Alex Khvatov:  What is it like to follow in the footsteps of your former teammates Don Cherry and Austin Calitro?

Ed Shockley:  I am close to Austin and Don.  Don told me a lot about XPE in Boca Raton.  Austin is like a brother to me.  We pushed each other to be better players.  Austin and I finished with the same amount of tackles.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Ed Shockley:  I am instinctive.  I play sideline-to-sideline.  I play well in space.  I tackle well in space.  I covered RB’s and TE’s.  I am durable.  I never missed a game or practice.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon? 

Ed Shockley:  Shedding blocks.  It is not a weakness.  I can get better at it with a little bit of work.  We played a 3-3 stack defense. We play a lot in space.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point? 

Ed Shockley:  My junior season stands out because as a defense we accomplished a lot.  We were the #1 defense in the FCS.  We set goals for ourselves in the offseason.  We came in with a chip on our shoulder.  We were the best defense.  We lost in the quarterfinals of the playoffs against South Dakota State.  We were a close group of guys and we came together.  

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Ed Shockley:  I grew up in South Jersey.  My dad was a Giants fan.  He passed that on to me. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player? 

Ed Shockley:  I like watching defense in general.  I enjoy watching LB’s with similar traits like myself.  I like NaVorro Bowman and Sean Lee.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a LB? 

Ed Shockley:  Instincts.  It allows you to overcome certain things.  You might not run a fast 40 time, but you play faster on the field because you can read and anticipate plays.  You are always in the right place at the right time. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season? 

Ed Shockley:  DB Rob Rolle.  He would have come out this year, but he tore his ACL the third game of the season.  As a junior, he had seven INT’s.  Ethan Greenidge is the most athletic tackle that I have ever seen.  He played point guard in high school.  LB Jeff Steeb is a phenomenal athlete.  He should have a big season next year.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced during your career?

Ed Shockley:  The toughest player was James Conner.  We played against him my junior year.  He runs hard.  He is a tough competitor.  He overcame a lot.  He has solid hands and runs good routes.  

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football? 

Ed Shockley:  Two things.  I love competing.  I also like the bond that you build with your teammates.  The camaraderie with your teammates goes a long way.  I love this game.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies? 

Ed Shockley:  Most of my time is dedicated towards football.  But I am a family guy.  I like to spend time with my family.  I like to go to the beach with my friends.  I like outdoor activities.

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Ed Shockley:  I am very approachable.  I am an easy person to talk to, no matter the situation.  I am always in a happy mood.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over? 

Ed Shockley:  I am so focused on football right now that I haven’t really thought about it.  I am hoping to have a long career in this sport.  I got my degree in sociology and economics.   

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you? 

Ed Shockley:  Humble, dedicated, focused, durable and determined.