Dec. 8, 2006

University of South Carolina defensive end Eric Norwood was named to the first team Freshman All-America squad, while linebacker Rodney Paulk was named to the second team Freshman All-America team as selected by The Sporting News, it was announced today.

Norwood, a 6-2, 258-pound true freshman from Acworth, Ga., leads the team and is tied for seventh in the SEC with 7.0 sacks, figuring in on five solo and four assisted sacks. He also leads the Gamecocks with five quarterback hurries and is third on the squad with 9.0 tackles for loss among his 29 total stops.

Paulk, a 6-0, 212-pound linebacker from Columbia started nine of 12 games, the most of any of the Carolina freshmen, including eight of the last nine contests. The true freshman was credited with 33 tackles including 24 solo stops. He had 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack and recovered a fumble.

Norwood, Paulk and the rest of the Gamecocks (7-5) will wrap up their season on Friday, Dec. 29 when they travel to Memphis, Tenn. to face the Houston Cougars (10-3), champions of Conference USA, in the 48th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl.