If you followed the SEC at all in 2024, you saw a different kind of Ole Miss defense. For years, Lane Kiffin’s teams were basically a high-octane drag racer with a shaky bumper—lots of points, but they’d give up a 40-burger to just about anyone with a pulse. Then came Chris Paul Jr. Most fans knew him as "Pooh."
He wasn't just another body in the portal. Honestly, when he left Arkansas, it felt like a weird move to some. Why leave a place where you're already a Freshman All-American? But Kiffin and defensive coordinator Pete Golding saw something specific. They needed a "mike" linebacker who could actually travel sideline to sideline without getting lost in the wash.
He didn't just fill a gap. He became the heartbeat of a unit that shattered school records.
The Arkansas Departure That Nobody Expected
Pooh Paul was a stud in Fayetteville. Let’s be real. In 2022, as a redshirt freshman, the guy was everywhere, racking up 62 tackles and 4 sacks. By 2023, he was a Butkus Award watch list guy. He had 74 tackles that year, and PFF was already salivating over his efficiency—he only missed six tackles in over 500 snaps.
So, why Oxford?
People love to speculate about NIL or "portal chasing," but for Paul, it was about fit and faith. He’s been vocal about how he prayed on the move. He also had a five-month-old daughter, Laya, at the time. He wanted a stage that could launch him into the NFL while playing in a system that showcased his IQ.
He found it in the "Sip."
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The transition was basically instant. He arrived in January, hit spring ball, and by the time the 2024 season kicked off, he was wearing the green dot.
Chris Paul Jr Ole Miss Stats: The 2024 Breakdown
The numbers are kind of ridiculous when you look at the context of the SEC. Ole Miss led the nation in rush defense for a huge chunk of the year, and Paul was the primary reason why.
- Total Tackles: 88 (led the team)
- Solo Stops: 50
- Tackles for Loss: 11.0
- Sacks: 3.5
- Turnovers: 1 Interception (the Egg Bowl pick!) and 1 Fumble Recovery
He finished the regular season ranked 8th in the SEC with 7.3 tackles per game. But the "nerd stats" tell a better story. PFF graded him as the No. 1 linebacker in the SEC for much of the season. He wasn't just hitting people; he was grading out at an 87.2 overall. That’s elite.
Think about the Georgia game. The Rebels held the Bulldogs to 10 points. Ten! Paul had nine tackles in that game and was basically a heat-seeking missile. He helped anchor a defense that set program records for sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120).
More Than Just a "Pooh" Nickname
We have to talk about the nickname because every broadcast mentioned it. Christopher "Pooh" Paul Jr. got the name from his grandmother when he was a baby. It stuck. But on the field, there’s nothing cuddly about how he plays.
At 6'1" and about 235 pounds, he’s a bit compact. Scouts worried he might get "washed" by 330-pound guards.
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It didn't happen.
His first step is electric. If you watch the tape against Kentucky or Oklahoma, you see him beating linemen to the "spot." He’s got this "old-school" vibe, as Kiffin put it. He practices like he’s trying to win a starting job every Tuesday.
The NFL Leap
After the 2024 season, the writing was on the wall. He’d done enough. He declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on December 14, 2024.
He ended up going in the 5th round, 172nd overall to the Los Angeles Rams.
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster since then. The Rams waived him in August 2025 during the final roster cuts—classic NFL "numbers game" stuff. But he didn't stay on the street long. The Seattle Seahawks scooped him up for their practice squad, and he’s been grinding there ever since.
Why His Legacy at Ole Miss Matters
Before Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss was "Portal U" for wide receivers and flashy transfers. Paul changed the narrative. He showed that elite, blue-collar defensive talent would choose Oxford because the development was real.
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He wasn't a "one-year rental" who checked out. He was a leader.
If you're a high school recruit or a transfer linebacker looking at Ole Miss, you’re looking at Pooh Paul’s 2024 tape. You’re looking at how a guy can come in, take over a locker room, lead the SEC in grades, and get his name called on draft day.
What You Can Learn From the Pooh Paul Era
If you're following his career or looking to replicate that kind of success, keep these things in mind:
- System Fit Over Hype: Paul chose a Golding-led defense that needed his specific range. Don't just go to the biggest brand; go where they need your skill set.
- Specialization in the Portal: He didn't try to be a hybrid safety. He leaned into being a true "Mike" linebacker and perfected his tackling (85.9 PFF grade).
- Proving the "Undersized" Critics Wrong: Height is a stat, but "play speed" is a reality. Paul’s 4.63 forty-yard dash at the combine proved his twitch was pro-level.
He’s currently working his way up the Seahawks' depth chart. Given his history of being a "non-stop" worker, it’s probably only a matter of time before he’s back on an active roster.
For Ole Miss fans, he’ll always be the guy who finally made the defense as scary as the offense.
Next Steps for Fans: Keep an eye on the Seahawks' active roster movements heading into the next season. With several veteran linebackers on one-year deals in Seattle, Paul is a prime candidate for a "futures" contract or a mid-season call-up. You can also track his impact by looking at how Ole Miss recruits the linebacker position in the current cycle; they are clearly looking for "the next Pooh."