Joe Shimko

Last updated

Joe Shimko
Personal information
Born: (2000-09-30) September 30, 2000 (age 23)
Belmar, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school: Wall (NJ)
College: NC State (2019–2024)
Position: Long snapper
Undrafted: 2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Joe Shimko (born September 30, 2000) is an American professional football long snapper. He played college football at NC State.

Contents

Early life

Shimko was born in Belmar, New Jersey. [1] He played baseball and ran track, but only began football prior to his sophomore year at Wall High School. [2] [3] Shimko sustained injuries playing running back and linebacker and questioned how long he would last playing the sport; his father then convinced him to try out long snapper, a position at which it is more common for players to have long careers. [2] He attended camps held by Chris Rubio but at an event in Las Vegas, was ranked only 80th out of 100 entrants for the Class of 2018. [2]

In the summer prior to his junior year, Shimko would long snap to his father 400 times each day (200 for each field goals and punts). [2] He quickly rose in Rubio's long snapping rankings and became the varsity starter that season at Wall. [2] As a senior, he posted 13 tackles, was named All-Division and played in the All-American Bowl. [4] [5] Ranked a five-star recruit, the seventh-best long snapper by Rubio's camp and the fifth-best by 247Sports, he committed to play college football for the NC State Wolfpack. [4] [6] [7]

College career

Shimko became a starter at NC State as a true freshman in 2019, serving as the long snapper for all 108 of the team's kicks. [4] He then recorded 114 snaps in the 2020 season. [3] In 2021, Shimko was named a fourth-team All-American by Phil Steele. [8] The following year, he was a second-team All-American selection by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and was a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, given to the best long snapper nationally. [9] In 2023, he won the Patrick Mannelly Award; in his career, 61 games, he never made a bad snap. [10]

Professional career

Shimko signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2024. [11] On August 20, 2024, Shimko was released by the Cardinals. [12]

Personal life

Off the field, Shimko has been active in charitable organizations, having helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for different groups. [13] [14] [15]

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References

  1. ↑ "Joe Shimko". ESPN.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Thompson, David (June 23, 2022). "NC State football finds perfection in Joe Shimko. Is he the nation's best long snapper?". The Fayetteville Observer .
  3. 1 2 "NFL Draft Profile: Joe Shimko, Long Snapper, North Carolina State Wolfpack". Sports Illustrated . December 31, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "Joe Shimko". NC State Wolfpack.
  5. ↑ Bardsley, Len (December 31, 2020). "College football has been a snap for Shimko". The Coast Star. p. 22, 23 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. ↑ Young, Adam (June 28, 2018). "Wall's Shimko lands at NC State for long snapping". The Coast Star. p. 57 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ Young, Adam (March 22, 2018). "Wall's Shimko continues excellence in long snapping". The Coast Star. p. 52 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. ↑ Smith, R. Cory (August 1, 2022). "Shimko, Durden named to prestigious preseason watch lists". 247Sports .
  9. ↑ "NC State Wolfpack football: Wall NJ grad Joe Shimko" . Asbury Park Press . August 30, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Joe Shimko Takes Home Patrick Mannelly Award, Named Nation's Best Long Snapper". NC State Wolfpack. December 9, 2023.
  11. ↑ Urban, Darren (April 29, 2024). "After Big Draft Class, Cardinals Agree With 3 Undrafted Rookies". AZCardinals.com.
  12. ↑ Gershman, Zach (August 20, 2024). "Cardinals Sign UFL Special Teams Player Of The Year". AZCardinals.com.
  13. ↑ Pope IV, Jonas (August 17, 2022). "'Trying To Help'". News & Observer . p. B1, B4 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  14. ↑ Watson-Fisher, Jadyn (October 16, 2023). "NC State football player honored for volunteer work". The Herald-Sun . p. B2 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  15. ↑ Dailey, Chris (August 17, 2023). "Shimko is an All-American both on and off the field". The Coast Star. p. 44 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
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