Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul Jr. takes his game to another level on Saturdays

OXFORD — Consider Ole Miss junior linebacker Chris Paul Jr. a “gamer.”

It’s not like the Arkansas transfer — who goes by “Pooh” — is a bad practice player by any stretch, head coach Lane Kiffin notes. But come Saturdays, Paul becomes a different beast. Kiffin saw what Paul did against the Rebels when he played with the Razorbacks and knew he wanted that type of player up the middle for his own defense.

Paul made 74 tackles for Arkansas last season and made 10 total tackles in two-career games against the Rebels.

“Not that he’s not a great practice player, I’d say he’s a good practice player,” Kiffin said. “But he plays great on game days and shows up.”

Paul currently leads the Rebels (4-0) with 29 total tackles, including six for loss. He racked up a season-high 10 tackles against Georgia Southern, including two for loss, and also had 1.5 sacks. Paul is currently the highest-rated linebacker in college football, according to Pro Football Focus, with a 91.4 grade.

“I just come out there and play every play like it’s my last. You never know if it’s going to be your last down that you play. You never know. You never know what God has in store for you,” Paul said. “ … I just go out there and I put my all on the line, each and every day, just to show the fans how hard we work, but as well as give my coaches the confidence to lean on me.”

Paul is one of the leaders of an Ole Miss defense that is tied for first nationally in scoring defense, surrendering just 5.5 points per game. The Rebels went three games to start the season without giving up a touchdown. That streak ended against the Eagles Saturday, when running back OJ Arnold threw a touchdown pass to Derwin Burgess early in the second quarter.

Ole Miss leads the nation in rush defense, giving up just 34.5 yards per game on the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chris-pooh-paul-jr-takes-010100202.html

Author : Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo

Publish date : 2024-09-23 01:01:00

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