Titan Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From North Oconee High School

Sports run deep in Athens, and North Oconee High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Titan uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from North Oconee High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. Joe Scelfo – Former NFL Player & College Football Coach

A member of North Oconee’s Class of 2012, Joe Scelfo continued his football career at NC State before signing as a free agent with the Houston Texans. Transitioning into coaching, he served as tight ends coach at the University of New Mexico. He was named offensive line coach and run game coordinator at the University of Tulsa, beginning with the 2025 season. (Sources: ESPN, TulsaHurricane)

2. Callie Jackson – NCAA Women’s Basketball Player (Berry College)

Callie Jackson starred for the North Oconee Titans and earned North Georgia All-Star MVP honors before continuing her basketball career at Berry College. Competing from 2022 to 2025, she contributed to the Vikings’ program while pursuing a degree in Elementary Education with minors in TEFL and ABA, exemplifying excellence both on the court and in the classroom. (Sources: BerryVikings, BerryVikingsRoster)

3. Kumar Rocker – MLB Pitcher (Texas Rangers)

A dominant force for the North Oconee Titans, Kumar Rocker was named the Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year and ranked as the eighth-best high school player nationally in the Class of 2018. He went on to star at Vanderbilt University, where he became one of college baseball’s most electrifying pitchers before being selected in the MLB Draft. Rocker now pitches professionally for the Texas Rangers and is regarded as one of the game’s premier young arms. (Sources: Vanderbilt, ESPN)

4. Bubba Chandler – MLB Pitcher (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Bubba Chandler emerged from North Oconee High School as a multi-sport standout before committing fully to baseball. Now one of the top pitching prospects in professional baseball, Chandler has rapidly risen through the Pirates’ system and is ranked by MLB Pipeline as one of the game’s elite young arms. (Sources: MLB, ESPN, MLBPipeline)

5. John Wes Townley – Former NASCAR Driver & Series Winner

John Wes Townley graduated from North Oconee High School in 2008 before embarking on a professional motorsports career. He competed in 76 NASCAR Xfinity Series races over eight seasons and earned a career-defining victory in the Camping World Truck Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2015. Townley raced at NASCAR’s national level before stepping away from competition. (Sources: NASCAR, FOX Sports)

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