VAN NUYS, Calif. – New Rams inside linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. – he goes by "Pooh" – couldn't stop smiling the entire time he spoke with local media after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
It would be hard not to grin after a team elected to trade up to select him on Saturday.
"Just getting that phone call and knowing a team is taking an opportunity with me, it's amazing," Paul said. "I can't wait to get out there to L.A. and contribute, man, just be a factor on that defensive side. Whatever coach need me to do, I just can't wait to be a contributing factor."
Take a look at photos of newly drafted Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Chris Paul Jr. from his time at University of Mississippi.
Paul had an idea the Rams could be where he began his pro career after sitting down with special assistant to the general manager/analyst Andy Sugarman to go over plays and learn about his personal life.
"He got to know about me, I got to learn about him a little bit," Paul said. "Man, it just means a lot. With them trading up to get me, it just means shows that that interview process meant something. It was very special."
Coming from a family that includes six older sisters and one younger brother, Paul said the nickname "Pooh" came from playing travel ball growing up. In one game, he caught an interception and returned it for a touchdown. Then his mom made matching jackets for her, Paul's aunt and sisters, with the name "Pooh" painted in big, bold, blue letters on the back, along with his face. It had "I love you Pooh Paul" on the sleeves, "the number one best" on one part of the chest, and "number one player" on another part of it.
"And my mom had a 3-D cutout that she brought to every game," Paul said. "Every time I scored or made a big tackle, she was up there screaming, ringing cowbells, and holding that 3-D picture over the gate."
The Rams will be getting the whole Paul family.
"Oh yeah, oh yeah. No doubt," Paul said. "All sisters. My number one fan, which is my mom. Everybody."
And they'll continue to be behind him as he pushes to reward the Rams' aggressiveness.
"It just goes to show that each and every day I gotta give 110%, each and every day," Paul said. "They were going to get that regardless, man, but that meant a lot to me."
