Tashard Choice

Infobox NFLactive
name=Tashard Choice


caption =
currentteam=Dallas Cowboys
currentnumber=23
currentposition=Running back
|birthdate=birth date and age|1984|11|20
birthplace=Thomasville, Georgia
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=215
debutyear=2008
debutteam=Dallas Cowboys
college=Georgia Tech
draftyear=2008
draftround=4
draftpick=122
pastteams=
* Dallas Cowboys (2008 - present)
status= Active
highlights=
statweek=
statseason=
statlabel1=
statvalue1=
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Tashard Choice (born November 20, 1984 in Thomasville, Georgia) is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played collegiately at Georgia Tech. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Choice began his collegiate career at Oklahoma University but transferred to Georgia Tech in 2005. Choice played high school football for Lovejoy High School where he recorded for 40 career all-purpose touchdowns.cite web|url=http://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/departments/athletics/whoswho.asp|title=Clayton County's Who's Who|accessdate=2007-04-08] Choice is currently a History, Technology, and Society major and earned All-Big 12 Academic Honor Roll in 2004 along with All-ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2005-2006.

College football

Redshirt Freshman (2003)

Choice redshirted 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.cite web|url=http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2003-2004/03teamcume.html|title=2003 Oklahoma Sooners Cumulative Statistics|work=SoonerSports.com |publisher=University of Oklahoma Athletic Department |accessdate=2007-04-08]

Freshman (2004)

In 2004, 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.cite web|url=http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/choice_tashard00.html|title=Tashard Choice Profile on RamblinWreck.com|accessdate=2007-04-08]

ophomore (2005)

In 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.cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/teams/ggc/stats?year=2005|title=Georgia Tech 2005 Statistics|accessdate=2007-04-08] 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.cite web|url=http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111905aab.html|title=Georgia Tech 14, Miami 10|accessdate=2007-04-08] The victory guaranteed Tech a bowl appearance and solidified Choice's role as a competent starter for the 2006 season.

Junior (2006)

Choice lead 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 per game 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 is a preseason pick for several 2007 Heisman Trophy lists.cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/03/28/rb.powerrankings/index.html|title=Rivals.com's RB Power Rankings|accessdate=2007-04-08] cite web|url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/621896.html|title=Ridiculously Early Heisman Rankings |accessdate=2007-04-08]

enior (2007)

Choice lead the Yellow Jackets powerful ground game behind four returning starters on the offensive line and veteran fullback Mike Cox. As the reigning ACC Rushing Champion, Choice is looking to improve upon 2006's 9 win season with new offensive coordinator John Bond featuring the single back formation.cite web|url=http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/040707aaa.html|title=Balanced Offense Highlights Tech Spring Scrimmage|accessdate=2007-04-08] Choice currently has 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.

Professional career

Choice was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, making his first touchdown during the Cowboys first 2008 Pre-season game against the San Diego Chargers.August 28th, 2008 Tashard Choice scored his second touchdown against the Minnesota Viking's for the Dallas Cowboys.

Choice's jersey number was originally 29, but when Keith Davis re-joined the team, Davis acquired the number 29 from Choice. Choice took the only number available (22 was technically available, but it is not within circulation), 23. 23 was worn by Evan Oglesby, but he was released to make room for Keith Davis.

Notes

Persondata
NAME = Choice, Tashard
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = "Deuce"
SHORT DESCRIPTION = American football player
DATE OF BIRTH = November 20 1984
PLACE OF BIRTH = Riverdale, Georgia
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =