It’s not accurate to say McGill-Toolen’s AJ Pauley came out of nowhere this summer, but it would be fair to say the average college football fan probably wasn’t aware of Pauley until he received — and quickly accepted — a scholarship offer from Alabama.
The edge rusher and defensive lineman drew a wave of attention after Alabama defensive coordinator and former South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack offered him a scholarship. A lifelong Alabama fan, Pauley accepted and shut down his recruitment shortly after, ending speculation about where he might sign.
“It’s been a ride,” Pauley said of his summer recruitment and the reaction since he accepted Alabama’s offer. “It’s been great. You know, I’m just enjoying the process day by day. It’s been unreal, though. It’s been unreal.”
With the added attention comes a different feeling as Pauley heads into his senior season with the Yellow Jackets. “It changes things a lot because last year nobody knew who I was,” he said. “Now I’m one of the top names (in recruiting in the state). So, I think it’s a blessing. I feel it’s a blessing. … But there’s no added pressure. No pressure at all.”
Pauley was hard to miss last season at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, and he’ll be even harder to miss this fall after growing to 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. In 11 games last season, he recorded 29 solo tackles and 28 assists, along with four tackles for a loss and three sacks.
McGill-Toolen head coach Davis Faulkner has watched Pauley develop as a player and said he isn’t surprised by the recruiting attention his defensive standout has received. “I think he has the measurables,” Faulkner said. “You know, when you start talking about playing at that level of football, the first thing you’ve got to do is have the size to do it. You’ve got to have the body to do it. He has a big frame that can continue to add weight, and he’s got good length.”