Dec. 7, 2006

University of South Carolina linebacker Rodney Paulk and safety Emanuel Cook were selected to the Freshmen All-SEC team as selected by the league’s coaches, it was announced today.

Paulk, a six-foot, 212-pound true freshman, started nine games in 2006, the most of any of the Carolina freshmen, including eight of the last nine contests. A product of Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, he was credited with 33 tackles, including 24 solo stops. The outside linebacker had 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack and also recovered a fumble. Paulk recorded a season-high six stops against Wofford.

Cook, a 6-0, 209-pound safety from Riviera Beach, Fla. started four games during the 2006 season. The true freshman ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 44, including 38 solo stops. He recorded five tackles for loss and forced one fumble. Regarded as one of the team’s best tacklers, Cook had a season-high nine tackles in the win over Wofford and seven stops against Arkansas.

Paulk, Cook 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.