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Roman Reigns college football highlights (Video)

By Patrick Schmidt

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: WWE Wrestler Roman Reigns signs autographs during the Washington Auto Show at the Washington Convention Center in Washington DC on January 28, 2016. (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: WWE Wrestler Roman Reigns signs autographs during the Washington Auto Show at the Washington Convention Center in Washington DC on January 28, 2016. (Kris Connor/Getty Images) /
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Before he was a WWE superstar Roman Reigns was Joe Anoa’i and an All-ACC defensive tackle for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

It’s been quite a career for Roman Reigns inside the squared circle and things could be getting even better after he beat Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose at Fastlane on Sunday in a No. 1 contender’s match. Now, Reigns is set to face Triple H for the heavyweight belt at WrestleMania 32.

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Before he was one of the biggest names in professional wrestling, he was one of the best college football players in the ACC where he started for three years at Georgia Tech. Reigns real name, Joe Anoa’i was a college teammate of Calvin Johnson who went on to become one of the best receivers of all-time and earned All-ACC honors as a senior after recording 29 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

He went undrafted in the NFL Draft but signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings (who also once signed Brock Lesnar) and the Jacksonville Jaguars but failed to make it through training camp and never played in an NFL game.

He did play one season for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League but was released the next year and retired from football to begin a wrestling career.

With his wrestling career poised to take off in 2016, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit his highlights from his time at Georgia Tech in this highlight package from the ACC Digital Network.

Do you think Roman Reigns can have a career like The Rock who played for the Miami Hurricanes before becoming one of the biggest draws in WWE history? The Rock isn’t the only former football player to have a career inside the squared circle, but he’s certainly the biggest success story.

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He’s a two-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 2015 Royal Rumble winner and 2014 Superstar of the Year.

Roman Reigns can take one step forward in building his legacy with a win over Triple H at WrestleMania 32.

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