A Butkus Award finalist who followed a Patrick Willis-like path to the NFL as the highest-drafted Ole Miss inside linebacker in nearly two decades, Chris Paul Jr. now anchors Seattle's linebacker corps.
Chris Paul Jr., known to teammates as "Pooh," is an inside linebacker who broke out after transferring from Arkansas to Ole Miss for a single, standout senior season. A fifth-round pick in 2025, he has already established himself as an active-roster contributor for Seattle.
Path to the league
Paul grew up in Cordele, Georgia and starred at Crisp County High School before spending three seasons at Arkansas from 2021 to 2023, where he totaled 137 tackles across 28 games. He transferred to Ole Miss for the 2024 season and was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, becoming the highest-drafted Ole Miss inside linebacker since Hall of Famer Patrick Willis went in the first round in 2007.
Career highlights
In his lone season at Ole Miss, Paul posted a team-high 88 tackles, including 11 for loss, to go with 3.5 sacks and an interception. He earned All-SEC recognition and All-America honors, and was named a finalist for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker.
2025 season recap
Paul was waived by the Los Angeles Rams, who had drafted him, in late August 2025, and quickly signed to Seattle's practice squad. He worked his way onto the Seahawks' active roster and signed a reserve/futures contract with the team in February 2026 to continue his development in their linebacker room.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Chris Paul Jr.
- Ole Miss Athletics: Chris Paul Jr. NFL Draft selection
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Ole Miss
- Hometown
- Cordele, GA, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
