D.J. Shockley to Deliver UGA Commencement Address

D.J. Shockley, a celebrated former quarterback for the University of Georgia, is set to deliver the commencement address at the school’s May graduation. Shockley, who led the Bulldogs to a Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship and a Sugar Bowl appearance in 2005, becomes the second former Bulldogs football player to give the address, following Billy Payne in 1991.

A Legacy of Resilience and Leadership

Shockley expressed his gratitude and surprise at the honor, telling Dawg Nation, “It’s surreal this many years later that Georgia fans still love you and still want to take care of you and give you flowers.” He acknowledged that other former players, such as 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, record-holder Aaron Murray, and two-time national championship MVP Stetson Bennett, might have seemed like more obvious choices.

Shockley’s journey at UGA was marked by challenges. He arrived in 2001 but initially lost the starting job to David Greene. Despite implementing a two-quarterback system in his first year, injuries hampered Shockley’s ability to secure the starting position during his first three years. However, he remained with the team, eventually winning the starting role in 2005. That season, he led the undefeated, No. 4-ranked team to the Sugar Bowl, setting a school record at the time with 28 touchdowns. Tragically, an injury prevented him from playing in the Sugar Bowl, where the team suffered its only loss of the season.

Translating Sportsmanship to Life Lessons

His former teammate DeMario Minter, who shared a locker next to Shockley at Georgia, spoke about his character: “He never once complained, never once got frustrated. I think that translates to what he’s doing now and the type of person he is.” This perspective highlights Shockley’s enduring qualities of perseverance and positivity.

After his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent three years but never played a game, Shockley transitioned into sports media. He currently serves as the sports director at Fox 5 Atlanta and works as a sideline reporter for the Georgia Bulldog Radio Network. The Bulldogs recently secured their sixth SEC title, defeating Alabama 28-7 on December 6, 2025.