Former Ole Miss Linebacker Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul Jr. Working Hard on His Journey to the Next Level: ‘I push myself every day’
OXFORD, Miss. — Since declaring for the NFL Draft on December 14th, 2024, Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. has been on a relentless path toward his dream. The former Ole Miss linebacker has been busy with intense training while also attending the prestigious invite-only 100th East-West Shrine Bowl.
Every day, Pooh is locked in, training nonstop.
“I’ve been focused on getting stronger, faster, and more agile. But it’s also about understanding and taking care of my body, knowing how to move better, and perfecting the little things that make a big difference at the next level.”
Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr.
Paul has embraced the discipline required to prepare for his future, and a defining factor in that preparation is consistency. Pooh explains, “It’s about being consistent and making the most out of every session.” Reflecting on his work ethic, he adds, “I push myself every day because I know this is the time to make those key improvements.”
Deep into his training, he had the honor of competing in the East-West Shrine Bowl, an annual showcase for the nation’s top college seniors. Knowing how incredible this opportunity was, Paul thought back to the moment he received the invitation, and he recalls with excitement, “It was surreal. I was excited that I was being recognized for all the hard work I put in this season and looking forward to having the chance to showcase my skills in front of NFL scouts.”
#OleMiss’s Chris Paul (@PoohPaul4) Chris Paul is undoubtably one of the best, and you can make the case he’s the most complete, linebacker in the 2025 #NFLDraft class.
With outstanding movement ability, range in coverage, explosiveness upfield and laterally, and finishing… pic.twitter.com/LRhtODReiy
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) February 18, 2025
Although he did not play in the game, Paul did practice and build connections with top-tier players. Pooh said, “It was a great chance to compete at the highest level and push myself. Being around NFL-caliber players every day was amazing, and I learned a lot from those practices.”
His efforts earned him a spot on the All-Star Practice Team. “Even though I wasn’t on the field for the game, I made sure to be a leader on the sidelines and support my teammates,” Paul says. “Making an impact in any way I could—that’s something I take pride in.”
Paul made history as part of the 100th East-West Shrine Bowl, contributing to a dominant 25-0 victory, the first scoreless defeat since 1969. Now, his full attention is on the next major step: the NFL Scouting Combine that will be held at the end of the month.
“The Combine is a big deal for me. It’s another chance to show my strengths and demonstrate everything I’ve been working on. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m ready to go in and prove that I belong.”
Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr.
With the NFL Draft just over two months away, Paul is fully invested in his training, pushing himself harder every day. While making it to the league is the dream, right now he is focusing on enjoying the process and embracing every step. “The thing I am most excited about is meeting with NFL coaches and making a name for myself,” he says, focused on proving himself and putting everything he has into this next chapter of his journey.
So far, Paul says he has met with representatives from the following NFL teams: Atlanta, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Washington, Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Carolina, San Francisco, Arizona, and Detroit.
The NFL Combine is set for February 27 through March 2, 2025 in Indianapolis, and we will keep you updated on Pooh and all the Rebels!
Nya Stewart
An emerging, vibrant figure in sports media, summa cum laude graduate Nya Stewart brings both personal and professional experience to her role. With a degree in Media Communication and having played and student-coached collegiate basketball, Nya developed a deep connection to sports. Her previous work as a show host and sports broadcaster confirmed her passion for the field and solidified her commitment to sports journalism. Her reporting offers insightful and engaging perspectives that captivate and inform her audience. In her free time, Nya enjoys spending time with her daughter and family, as well as watching sports.
