Linebacker Christopher Paul received a scholarship offer from Arkansas one week ago, and that was long enough for him to know he wanted to be a Razorback.
Paul, 6-1, 235 pounds, 4.71 seconds in the 40-yard dash, of Cordele (Ga.) Crisp County, accumulated 24 scholarship offers from schools such as Tennessee, Louisville, Nebraska, TCU, Michigan State, West Virginia, Minnesota and other programs before committing to Arkansas.
He and linebackers coach Rion Rhoades developed a strong relationship during the recruiting process.
“He’s a great guy,” Paul said. “I have a great bond with Coach Rhoades. When we talked, I could feel the connection between us. We’ve been talking day in and day out since I got the offer.”
Paul said his Sunday night conversation with Rhoades flowed very easily.
“We got on the phone about 9 p.m. and we didn’t stop talking until around 12,” Paul said. “It was a great talk.”
He had previous relationships with Razorbacks Coach Sam Pittman, offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, running backs coach Jimmy Smith and special teams coordinator Scott Fountain, who recruits southwest Georgia.
“They recruited me when they were at Georgia,” Paul said. “Coach Briles recruited me when he was at Florida State. Coach Jimmy Smith, we played against his high school team before he left for Georgia State and eventually going to Arkansas. The bond I have with those coaches is unbelievable. I have a great bond with them.
"It’s like I already know them. I don’t have to visit them because I already know all the coaches on the staff.”
Paul recorded 157 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, 2 recovered fumbles and a forced fumble as a junior while leading the Cougars to an 11-4 record and Class 3A state championship game appearance.
CBS Sports Network national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming believes Paul has 4-star potential.
“I make an annual stop at Crisp County High School because they have players every year,” Lemming said. “Chris can run and hit. Very productive. He has good timing, anticipation and is known for his hard-hitting style of play. I would give him 3-star-plus (status) now, but he does have the ability to be 4-stars by the end of the year. He’s a rising star.”
Paul recalled his reaction when Rhoades extended the offer last Thursday.
“I was speechless, man,” Paul said. “I had a whole lot of interest in Arkansas and when I got that call from Coach Rhoades, that just made my whole day. Even before that, I had been talking to my parents about Arkansas and when they offered my reaction was speechless.”
Paul enjoys stopping running backs in their tracks.
“If I hit them, I’ll drive them back a couple of yards,” he said.
He has impressive numbers in the weight room with a 315-pound bench press, 475-pound squat and 335-pound power clean. His father, Chris Sr., is retired from the Navy and now works at Robins Air Force Base as a civil service worker while his mother, Velieka, is a registered nurse.
A team captain the past two seasons, Paul credits his parents for his leadership skills.
“I get it from my mom by the way she leads at work,” Paul said. “She leads by example. That’s why she’s head of medical surgery at the hospital, and my pops is a natural-born leader. You can tell the way he talks to you he’s a natural-born leader.
"He taught me the ropes and the way not to be a follower.“
Paul is Arkansas' 13th commitment for the 2021 class and the sixth pledge since June 2.