June 9, 2010

University of South Carolina linebacker Rodney Paulk has been granted a sixth year of eligibility, it was announced today. Paulk will be donning the Garnet and Black for a fifth season in 2010, then will have the opportunity to return for a sixth season in 2011.

Paulk, a Columbia native, earned second-team Freshman All-America honors from Sporting News and first-team Freshman All-SEC accolades from both the league’s coaches and Sporting News as a true freshman in 2006. The Richland Northeast product ranked fourth on the squad with 64 tackles during his sophomore season in 2007. Paulk injured his knee in August of 2008 and saw limited action in the first four games of that campaign before sitting out of the remainder of the season. He was granted his first medical redshirt following the season. In 2009, Paulk suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season-opening win at NC State, and was granted his second medical redshirt.

Over the past four seasons, Paulk has played in 30 games, starting 23. He has recorded 111 tackles, including 74 solo stops.

Paulk sat out the spring drills this year while continuing his rehab work, but enters the fall listed atop the depth chart at the Mike linebacker position. A marine science major, Paulk was a member of the 2009 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Paulk and his 2010 Gamecock teammates are scheduled to report for fall camp on Monday, August 2, with the first practice set for Tuesday, August 3.