Marietta Alum to Play in CFL

alumnus Thad Turner signed with the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday.

The signing was an early birthday present for the Marietta native and 2005 Marietta High grad, who turns 25 on April 30. He was one of four players Hamilton added Thursday, including another Atlanta-area player, grad Justin Boddie.

Turner is a defensive back who signed with the Indianapolis Colts two years ago after completing his college career at Ohio University. Cut by the Colts in the 2010 preseason, he spent the year on the New England Patriots’ practice squad.

The Patriots cut him last August, and he spent the preseason with the Arizona Cardinals but was released Sept. 2.

Bleacher Report had an entertaining interview with Turner on the eve of the 2010 NFL Draft, covering everything from the strong workout numbers he posted that spring to his dream party guest list (Hugh Hefner, Tiger Woods and Diddy are on it).

Turner redshirted his freshman year at Ohio, then played four seasons, spending the final two as a starter at cornerback. He was second-team All-MAC in 2009.

He also played wide receiver for Marietta and was first-team All-Cobb County and All-State his senior year.

If you’re wondering about following Turner in the Great White North, the CFL season starts June 29 when Saskatchewan plays at Hamilton and ends Nov. 25 with the Grey Cup. The NFL Network carried the games last year.