After playing college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers,[1] he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL draft.

Hochstein was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL draft.

After Damien Woody left for Detroit in the 2004 offseason, 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.

He remained a special teams contributor and first choice backup interior offensive lineman.

The move reunited Hochstein with Broncos head coach and former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.