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Local ATH starting to receive interest

Columbia (S.C.) Cardinal Newman class of 2019 ATH Akele Pauling was a standout on both offense and defense this season and college coaches have started to take notice.

The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder camped at South Carolina this summer and then was invited to the Gamecocks' home finale against Western Carolina by defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson, a trip he took and enjoyed.

"It was great," Pauling said. "I loved how the fans were there. I loved the coaches, the players. Nice facilities. Everything was great. When I was down on the field, I didn't expect the stadium to be that big. It was a great atmosphere."

Pauling first got to know Robinson at one of the Gamecocks' camps this past summer and enjoyed the chance to learn from him in that setting.

"When I was there at the camp and he was coaching me, he was just really chill and really cool," Pauling said. "He just wants to get the best out of you and make sure everything you do is up to his standing. He wants to get the best out of you and that's what I loved about him the first time I met him."

While South Carolina has not yet offer, Pauling says an offer from his childhood favorite would be a"dream come true."

"They're recruiting me as a DB," Pauling said. "They've just been saying come back to the camps. Coach T-Rob really likes me at DB. When I was there this summer, I was in the top group for DBs, and I was one of the youngest ones, so he said just keep working, they're probably going to offer me soon if I just keep showing out at the camps."

The do-it-all playmaker is also hearing from Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, The Citadel and S.C. State.

Pauling visited Georgia Tech a couple of weeks ago.

"I really like how their facilities were too," Pauling said. "I had never been down to Georgia Tech before, so it was great just seeing how the guys were, the coaches. It was a great experience too. They told me I would probably go there as a wing back."

He has also visited Tennessee.

"Tennessee was great," Pauling said. "I actually went to the spring game, but there were still a lot of fans there. Their facilities are really nice too, the weight room, and the coaches."

Pauling plans to visit Northwestern this weekend.

Pauling collected 690 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns this season with 48 tackles, three forced fumbles and a pick on defense.

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