Ole Miss LB Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul, Jr. selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 2025 NFL Draft

Ole Miss’ leading tackler from last season is now heading to the NFL.

Linebacker Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul, Jr. was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round as the 172nd overall pick.

Paul had another year of eligibility remaining but opted to forego it and start his journey to the NFL. That decision was rewarded on Saturday. He is the seventh Ole Miss player to be taken in this year’s draft, which is the the most since 2022 when six Rebels were drafted.

Another transfer that came to Ole Miss for a season and then on the NFL, Paul spent a year in Oxford after coming over from Arkansas.

In 2024 Paul finished with 88 tackles (50 solo) and ranked fourth on the team in tackles for loss with 11. He also recorded 3.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, one interception and recovered a fumble.

Draft projections for Paul continuously had him as a mid-round pick, at worst, with his stock increasing with each passing game last season.

He arguably was in the running for the best defensive transfer Ole Miss picked up along with Walter Nolen and Trey Amos.

“Weakside linebacker prospect with ascending talent and production for a 4-3 defense,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlen said. “Paul is an assignment-oriented linebacker whose play recognition improved as the season progressed. He takes quality angles to the action and is a sure-handed tackler when he gets his hooks in.”

The Ole Miss defense continues racking up draft picks with Paul making him the fourth on that side of the ball joining Nolen, Amos and Princely Umanmielen so far.

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