While the Atlanta Falcons opened training camp Thursday without one of its biggest stars in Michael Vick, one of Effingham County’s former stars was present.

Defensive end Paul Carrington, who played for the Effingham County Rebels from 1997-2000, hit the camp in Flowery Branch rolling.

Last season as a rookie, Carrington played in 15 of the Falcons’ 16 games. He made 39 tackles including three sacks. He also deflected a pass and forced a fumble.

Presently, he is second on the depth chart at right defensive end, behind John Abraham.

Effingham County High School Principal Yancy Ford, who coached running backs and quarterbacks for the Rebels while Carrington was there, said Carrington is a good role model.

“It’s simple with Paul. He’s a prime example of a kid who works hard in the classroom, the weight room and is a model citizen,” Ford said. “Good things pay off in the end. It doesn’t matter if it’s the sports world or the business world. Paul is an example of someone who worked hard.”

While playing for the Rebels from 1997-2000, Carrington amassed 110 tackles, including 24 for loss and 14 sacks.
In his senior season, he was named to the Region 3-AAAAA all-region first team and won ECHS’s Iron Rebel Award. He made 41 tackles, including 12 for a loss and 10 sacks.

While at ECHS, Carrington not only excelled on the football field but also in the classroom. He was elected class president, was a four-time recipient of the team Scholar-Athlete award and graduated with academic honors.

Carrington played collegiately at the University of Central Florida, where as a senior he tallied 46 tackles and nine sacks.