Russ Hochstein

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=New England Patriots
currentnumber=71
currentpositionplain=Offensive guard
birthdate=birth date and age|1977|10|7
birthplace=Hartington, Nebraska
heightft=6
heightin=4
weight=305
debutyear=2002
debutteam=Tampa Bay Buccaneers
college=Nebraska
draftyear=2001
draftround=5
draftpick=151
highlights=
* 2x Super Bowl Champion (XXXVIII, XXXIX)
pastteams=
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001-2002)
* New England Patriots (2002-present)
nfl=HOC309780

Russ Hochstein (born October 7, 1977 in Hartington, Nebraska) is an American football offensive lineman for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.

High school years

He is a graduate of Cedar Catholic High School, where he was an award-winning performer in school plays, and a letterman in football, basketball, and track and field. In football, he played the offensive line, defensive line and middle linebacker positions, and finished his high school career with 18 sacks, 309 tackles, eight fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.

College and professional career

After attending the University of Nebraska, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2001 NFL Draft. A year later the Pats picked him up. He started in 2003 after Damien Woody (who had moved from Center to fill in for the injured Mike Compton) was injured in the first round of the playoffs. After Joe Andruzzi left for Cleveland, Hochstein started the first two games of the 2004 season before filling in at Tight End, Offensive Tackle and Fullback in the remaining regular season games and Super Bowl XXXIX. Hochstein started the final seven games of the 2005 season at center when Dan Koppen was injured and started a career high eight games in 2007 at center and right guard for the New England Patriots. He has remained a special teams contributor and first choice backup interior offensive lineman for the New England Patriots. [http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=21882] He graduated with a degree in Business management.