11 from Super 11 made marks in NFL, NBA

Atlanta Falcons

Super 11 stars who excelled as pros

Since 1985, the AJC has chosen a Super 11 of high school football players, and the newest edition comes out Friday. Here’s a look at 11 from the past who went on to successful pro sports careers, including one Heisman Trophy winner who chose a career in the NBA.

Calvin Johnson, 2003, Sandy Creek HS; 106 games in NFL from 2007-present. Here, Johnson makes a catch in front of Troy Polamalu (43) of the Steelers on Nov. 17, 2013 in Pittsburgh. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Champ Bailey, 1995, Charlton Co. HS; 215 games in NFL from 1999-present. Here, Bailey (24) breaks up a pas intended for Reggie Bush of the Saints on a two-point conversion attempt. Teammate Marion McCree (20) help on the play, Sept. 21, 2008 in Denver. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Hines Ward, 1993, Forest Park HS; 217 games in NFL from 1998-2011. Here, Ward makes a catch against the Raiders on Oct. 29, 2006. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)

Jamal Lewis, 1996, Douglass HS; 131 games in NFL from 2000, 2002-09. Here, Lewis jumps over Chinedum Ndukwe (41) of the Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Dec. 21, 2008. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Garrison Hearst, 1989, Lincoln Co. HS; 126 games in NFL from 1993-98, 2001-04. Here, Hearst (20) is in action against the Packers in a January 2002 playoff game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Credit: Elsa/Getty Images

Charlie Ward, 1987, Thomas Co. Central HS; 630 games in NBA from 1994-2005. Here, Ward makes a layup during a January 1999 game against the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport

John Kasay, 1986, Clarke Central HS; 301 games in NFL from 1991-99, 2001-11. Here, Kasay (4) and Brian Young (66), Josh Bullocks (29) and Usama Young (38) of the Saints follow Kasay's game-winning field goal as time expired at the Superdome in October 2007. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Marcus Stroud, 1995, Brooks County HS; 146 games in NFL from 2001-10. Here, Stroud tackles Reggie Bush (25) of the Saints at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sept. 27, 2009 in Orchard Park, N.Y. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Deon Grant, 1996, Josey HS; 176 games in NFL from 2001-11. Here, Grant loses his helmet while making a tackle against the Rams on Sept. 13, 2009 in Seattle. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)

Randall Godfrey, 1991, Lowndes HS; 170 games in NFL from 1996-2007. Here, Godfrey (56) and teammate Darren Woodson (28) of the Cowboys tackle Adrian Murrell of the Cardinals during a game in Tempe, Arizona in 1998. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch/Allsport

Chris Gardocki, 1987, Redan HS; 244 games in NFL from 1991-2006. Here, Gardocki punts against the Chiefs at Heinz Field on Oct. 15, 2006 in Pittsburgh. (Photo by Thomas E. Witte/Getty Images)

1/11

Calvin Johnson, 2003, Sandy Creek HS; 106 games in NFL from 2007-present. Here, Johnson makes a catch in front of Troy Polamalu (43) of the Steelers on Nov. 17, 2013 in Pittsburgh. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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