Blue Devils: Recent Pro Players

Najja Johnson, University of Buffalo. Read more about Johnson's pro day. Johnson signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2014).

Former Marietta High Blue Devil Josh Cooper (pictured) played three seasons as a part of the UFL.

JOSH COOPER (UFL) - LAS VEGAS LOCOS

Cooper, who played defensive line at Ole Miss, is also an NFL vet and spent time with the 49ers and the Saints. Josh played for the UFL's Florida Tuskers in 2009 and then the Las Vegas Locos in 2010 and 2011.Josh (pictured, as a member of the Saints) played basketball and football while at Marietta.

Traye Simmons (MHS c/o 2005)2011 - his second season in the NFL with the Chargers. The former Marietta Blue Devil signed with the San Diego practice squad in 2010 after initially being cut by the team after training camp. Simmons, a cornerback, was un-drafted out of college where he was a Minnesota Gopher by way of College of the Sequoias Junior College. In two years at Minnesota, Simmons tallied 94 tackles and 6 interceptions, scoring on one INT. Traye was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten for the 2009 college football season as voted on by the Big Ten coaches. MHS Career:Recorded 5 INT's during his senior season, helping MHS bring home a Region Title. Also, Simmons was named Cobb County TD Club DB of Year in 2005.

Greg Jackson. In November of 2012, Greg signed with the Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League. In 2012, Jackson played for the Green Bay Blizzard, also a team in the IFL. Jackson was named Defensive Player of the Week for the third week of the 2012 season.Greg was a finalist for the IFL's Rookie of the Year award in 2011 and ended the regular season with 7 sacks and 113 tackles. Jackson played his college football at Memphis.

Thad Turner (MHS c/o 2005) , the former cornerback for the Ohio University Bobcats, was signed as an un-drafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2010. He ended the season with the Patriots, then entered camp with them in 2011 before being cut.
MHS Career: Named All-State, led the Devils to an 11-1 record and a region title.

Marietta Georgia: Shutdown City

Najja Johnson (cornerback: University of Buffalo)

MHS Has a Tradition of Stellar Cornerbacks

Former Marietta High School Blue Devil Cornerbacks

• Traye Simmons (C/O 2005): Minnesota/NFL
• Thad Turner (C/O 2005): Ohio/NFL
• Mark Mathis: Liberty University/NFL/Canadian Football League
• Chris Hobbs: Stanford/Memphis
• Najja Johnson (pictured): University of Buffalo/NFL

Blue Devils: Recent College Players

** CLASS OF 2015** RB Kirvonte Benson: Georgia Tech

** CLASS OF 2015** K Ian Shannon: Auburn

• LB Tyrell Tomlin: University of North Carolina; (MHS Class of 2014). As a freshmen, appeared in nine games for the Tar Heels. *2015 Update: Tomlin announced he will transfer.
  
• QB Anthony Jennings: LSU; (MHS Class of 2013)
  
• WR Tyree Harris: Wake Forest; (MHS Class of 2013)
  
• DE Trey Warren: Tennessee-Martin; (MHS Class of 2013)
  
• DL Jan Robles: Centre College; (MHS Class of 2013)
  
• RB Greg Franklin (MHS Class of 2010). Franklin (pictured) was the leading rusher for University of Alabama-Birmingham as a sophomore. Franklin lined up at wide receiver at times in his career and during his senior year played defensive back as well as running back.
   
• Senior cornerback Najja Johnson-BUFFALO BULLS (MHS Class of 2008): Johnson started the first game of the 2013 season against Ohio State. He had two tackles.In 2012 Johnson led the Bulls in interceptions (5) and tallied 43 tackles.Johnson had 39 tackles in 2011, and also led the Mid-American Conference with 15 pass breakups. HIGHLIGHTS:OCT 1, 2011 Vs. University of Tennessee: 7 tackles and 3 pass break-ups.
  
• Freshman receiver Dorion McMickens played on both sides of the ball for University of West Georgia in 2011, tallying 3 catches for 39 yards. He also saw playing time on special teams, where he had 4 tackles.
  
• DB Ro'Mello Porter: class of 2012. Currently plays defensive back for Faulkner University. Faulkner is the home of first-year defensive line coach and former Falcons draft pick Aundray Bruce.
  
• LB Rontrez Barclay: class of 2012; signed with Georgia Military College.
  
• DL Rommie Fairchild, Jr - Brevard
  
• DL Josh Hodge, Jr - Carson- Newman
  
• WR Charles Francois, Fr - Chattahoochee Tech
  
• FB Devin Davis, So - Chattahoochee Tech
  
• DE Zach Shelton, Jr - Gardner- Webb
  
• WR Caleb Cox, Sr - Kentucky Christian
  
• DL Tyler Johnson, Jr - Lagrange
  
• DB Collis Clark, Fr - Lenoir- Rhyne
  
• CB Michael Welden, So - Randolph- Macon