Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i, Paul Randall Wight, Jr.

Joseph Anoa'i (top) was a three-year starting defensive tackle and captain for Georgia Tech. Now, using the name Roman Reigns, he's one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling.

(AP File Photo)

ALLEN PARK -- Two college captains, two different paths to superstardom.

In 2006, it was clear where wide receiver Calvin Johnson's was heading. The freakishly athletic Georgia Tech junior was dominating the college ranks, catching 76 passes for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns. He would ultimately end up being the No. 2 overall selection in the NFL draft and continuing that dominance as a member of the Detroit Lions.

On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Joseph Anoa'i was the leader of the Yellow Jackets defense. The three-year starter earned first-team All-ACC honors as a senior. In that final campaign, he recorded 40 tackles (nine for a loss) and 4.5 sacks.

He had the character, the motor and even the production, but Anoa'i lacked Johnson's chart-busting measurables. The lineman would go undrafted.

As a free agent, Anoa'i got a shot with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars, but a serious illness forced him to take some time off. After spending a season in the CFL, it was clear the NFL dream wasn't going to happen.

Good thing he had a fallback option.

The Anoa'i family is royalty in the world of professional wrestling. His grandfather, father, uncle and multiple cousins have all been stars. One cousin -- Dwayne Johnson, who played college football at Miami -- went on to become one of the biggest names in the history of the industry as The Rock.

In 2010, more than three years after his college football career ended, Anoa'i inked a deal with WWE's developmental division.

You know him now as Roman Reigns.

The 30-year-old Anoa`i is currently one of the brightest stars in the wrestling world. His ascension has been meteoric. In a little more than two years on the main roster, he main-evented at Wrestlemania, the Super Bowl of wrestling.

Reigns attempted to get Johnson to come out to California to attend the event, but the schedules didn't work out. The Lions receiver is disappointed he couldn't make it, not only because he couldn't be there to support his former teammate, but childhood favorite Sting was wrestling his first, and possibly only match, for the WWE at the age of 56.

"I told him next time he's in town, either here or Atlanta (Johnson's offseason home), to let me know," Johnson said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him work with some ringside passes."

Of course, celebrities can rarely get away with sitting ringside and enjoying an event in peace. There's a long history of athletes who make cameo appearances inside the squared circle, from William "The Refrigerator" Perry to Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman to Pacman Jones.

Would Johnson consider jumping the guard rail?

"If I got him on my side, I'll do it," Johnson said with a laugh.

The Lions might want to add an addendum to Johnson's contract. Monday Night Raw will be in Atlanta next month.

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