The University of Mississippi Athletics
NFL DRAFT: Chris Paul Jr. Selected by Los Angeles Rams in Fifth Round of 2025 NFL Draft
4/26/2025 | Football
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Ole Miss football junior linebacker Chris Paul Jr. was selected in the fifth round with the 172nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams, the seventh total Rebel picked so far in the 2025 NFL Draft and the second on Day Three so far alongside Jordan Watkins.
Paul Jr. is the highest drafted Ole Miss inside linebacker since Hall of Fame linebacker Patrick Willis was taken 11th overall in 2007. Specifically for the Los Angeles Rams (which were also the St. Louis Rams), Paul Jr. is the highest-drafted Rebel since quarterback Norris Weese in 1974 (fourth round, pick 99) and the highest drafted Rebel defensive player ever selected by the LA Rams.
The seven Rebels selected so far stand as an Ole Miss football record in the seven-round era of the NFL Draft (since 1994), and are in sole possession of second-most in the modern era of the NFL since the AFL/NFL merger in 1967 -- trailing only the record nine by both 1968 and 1971.
Paul Jr. – who goes by the nickname Pooh – was the field general at inside linebacker for the best rush defense in the nation and one of the overall best defenses in Rebel history during his one season with Ole Miss last fall. The Cordele, Georgia native earned several All-America honors – including a first-team nod from USA Today – and was a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is handed out annually to the top linebacker in the nation.
During the 2024 season, Paul Jr. led the Rebels with 88 total tackles (50 solo) and ranked fourth on the team with 11.0 TFL across 12 games played and 11 starts. He added 3.5 sacks, nine QB hurries, four pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Paul Jr. concluded the regular season ranked eighth in the SEC at 7.3 tackles per game, and he ended the whole season as PFF's No. 7 overall defender in the SEC in both defensive season rating (87.2) and tackling (85.9). Paul Jr. ranked as PFF's top linebacker in the SEC throughout 2024 and was their second-best linebacker in pass rush (84.0).
Gallery: (4-23-2025) NFL DRAFT: Chris Paul Jr.
Paul Jr. is the highest drafted Ole Miss inside linebacker since Hall of Fame linebacker Patrick Willis was taken 11th overall in 2007. Specifically for the Los Angeles Rams (which were also the St. Louis Rams), Paul Jr. is the highest-drafted Rebel since quarterback Norris Weese in 1974 (fourth round, pick 99) and the highest drafted Rebel defensive player ever selected by the LA Rams.
The seven Rebels selected so far stand as an Ole Miss football record in the seven-round era of the NFL Draft (since 1994), and are in sole possession of second-most in the modern era of the NFL since the AFL/NFL merger in 1967 -- trailing only the record nine by both 1968 and 1971.
Paul Jr. – who goes by the nickname Pooh – was the field general at inside linebacker for the best rush defense in the nation and one of the overall best defenses in Rebel history during his one season with Ole Miss last fall. The Cordele, Georgia native earned several All-America honors – including a first-team nod from USA Today – and was a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is handed out annually to the top linebacker in the nation.
During the 2024 season, Paul Jr. led the Rebels with 88 total tackles (50 solo) and ranked fourth on the team with 11.0 TFL across 12 games played and 11 starts. He added 3.5 sacks, nine QB hurries, four pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Paul Jr. concluded the regular season ranked eighth in the SEC at 7.3 tackles per game, and he ended the whole season as PFF's No. 7 overall defender in the SEC in both defensive season rating (87.2) and tackling (85.9). Paul Jr. ranked as PFF's top linebacker in the SEC throughout 2024 and was their second-best linebacker in pass rush (84.0).
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballThe Season: Ole Miss Football - LSU (2025)
Wednesday, October 01
PRESSER | Patrick Kutas - Bye Week (09-30-25)
Tuesday, September 30
PRESSER | Kam Franklin - Bye Week (09-30-25)
Tuesday, September 30
PRESSER | Dae'Quan Wright - Bye Week (09-30-35)
Tuesday, September 30