Chris

Paul Jr.

Paul Jr. (6’1/222) made a major impact in 2022 with 62 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, and 4.0 sacks while being named a Freshman All-American with Arkansas. He transferred to Ole Miss last year and took his game to another level, leading a stout Rebels defensive front with 88 tackles, 11 TFLs, four PBUs, and a fantastic 87.2 defensive grade. The Third Team AP All-American had an uneven Combine showing with a 90th percentile 1.58s 10-yard split and 84th percentile 36-inch vert, but he bombed the agility tests and has sub 30-inch arms for an unremarkable 6.13 Relative Athletic Score. While his sawed-off dimensions and limited athleticism affect his ability to take on blockers, Paul Jr. is a demon when blitzing (27 percent pressure rate) and has the range to cover tight ends and running backs.

No relation to the point guard/State Farm commercial star. Paul has pledged to Nebraska back in March, but backed off that commitment in the middle of June. He was also considering TCU, Minnesota, Michigan State and a few other Power 5 schools before deciding to join the Razorbacks. This gives Arkansas a total of 13 known commits for the 2021 class.

Paul (6'1/210) initially pledged to Nebraska in March, but he’ll be exploring his options moving forward. The Cordele, Georgia, native ranks on the 247Sports composite board as the No. 712 overall prospect for the 2021 cycle. Paul’s defection from Nebraska drops the huskers down to nine pledges in the class. The program currently holds the No. 39 class on the 247Sports composite team board. For reference’s sake, they finished at No. 20 for the most recent cycle. It’s early yet, though, and classes often don’t begin to clarify in terms of the team rankings -- especially with programs outside the Alabamas and Ohio States of the world -- until the fall and early winter.

Paul (6'1/210) is the fourth 2021 pledge secured by Nebraska and second linebacker signing of the cycle. Paul is rated as the 25th best 2021 inside linebacker and 51st best prospect in the state of Georgia. Paul also received offers from Michigan State, TCU, West Virginia and UCF.

“I really like the coaches and I even had interest in them before they offered,” Paul told Simmons. “I like how they play, they are showing a lot of interest and they want their guys to be more than just football players. They do the small things for their players and that makes them stand out.” The 2021 linebacker is in no rush to make a decision, and he also told Simmons that Nebraska and West Virginia are two other schools that he would like to visit in the near future. Paul also attended camps at Kentucky and Tennessee during the month of June, with both schools expressing interest.