Steeler Player Profile: David Paulson
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- Sunday afternoon not only brought us the end of the Steelers playoff hopes, but it also ended the season for one of the biggest fan favorites, Heath Miller, who injured his right knee in the 13-10 loss to Cincinnati.
That gives us a chance to look at the future of the tight end position for the black and gold and David Paulson.
Who is David Paulson?
From Auburn, Wash., David Paulson was a standout athlete at Riverside High School.
As a senior at Riverside High School Paulson was an All-State linebacker as well as being considered one of the top TE's in the nation by many recruiting services, this despite playing part of the season as a quarterback due to injuries on the team. After his senior year, with scholarship offers from multiple Pac-10 schools, Paulson elected to play his college ball at the University of Oregon.
Paulson began to contribute at Oregon during his red shirt sophomore year, when he became a key contributor off the bench.
During his sophomore year, Paulson caught 12 passes, 11 of which went for first downs for the Ducks. The following year, Paulson was a much bigger role in the Ducks offense, being named first team Pac-10 by the conference coaches, while helping Oregon to the national championship game.
Paulson continued his successful ways during his senior year as he was the Ducks third leading receiver, catching 31 passes, 6 of went for scores.
How did he become a Steeler?
The Pittsburgh Steelers used their second of four draft picks in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft to select the tight end out of Oregon with the 240th overall pick.
Paulson was the Steelers seventh pick of the draft and the eleventh tight end selected overall in the 2012 NFL draft.
His career as a Steeler?
According to many Steeler fans, it seems that Paulson has already started his NFL career on the right note.
Being mistaken for Heath Miller is never a bad thing in this city and that happened repeatedly this season for Paulson, evidence by the fans chanting "HEEEAAAATTTH!" when Paulson makes a grab at Heinz Field.
Paulson has seven catches this season for 51 yards, but has yet to find the end zone in his NFL career.
