'Pooh' Paul Reveals How Video Games, QB Jaxson Dart Lured Him to Ole Miss Out of Transfer Portal

Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. revealed some of the deciding factors that led him to Oxford out of the transfer portal this offseason.

Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. (27) in his time with the Arkansas Razorbacks. / Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

First things first, he prefers the name "Pooh" over Chris. Second, he believes that he is better at video games than Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. was made available to the media on Thursday following another installment of spring practice, and much of the conversation revolved around what led him to Oxford after leaving the Arkansas Razorbacks and entering the transfer portal. The decision to enter the portal in the first place wasn't an easy one, but Paul fell back on roots in his faith to help with the transition.

"I'm high on my faith, so I like to talk to God about everything I do in my life," Paul said. "I was sitting back, and God told me that it was time for a change. I talked to my parents and thought about taking that leap of faith and entering the portal.

"Once I entered the portal, it was kind of crazy. I had coaches calling left and right, but talking with [defensive coordinator Pete] Golding and [head coach Lane] Kiffin, I knew that Ole Miss was the place for me. As everybody knows, I committed as soon as I came down here, that same night. I already had in my mind that I wanted to be a Rebel, but getting around those guys like [Jaxson] Dart, [JJ] Pegues, Jared Ivey and all those guys, it sealed the deal for me. I committed that same night, and this is where I wanted to be."

From a football standpoint, Paul was always impressed with the attitude that the Rebels brought to the field in their games against one another, but conversations with the coaching staff helped secure his decision after entering the portal.

"Playing against them, that was a team that played with a lot of grit, a lot of effort and never gave up, no matter what the score was," Paul said. "Plus, Coach Golding is an excellent coach. He's coached some great linebackers throughout his days. Just listening to him and going through what he lays out for me has already made me a better player. I'm excited for this season and excited for the guys."

It's already been noted by new transfers at Ole Miss that quarterback Jaxson Dart played a large role in luring them to Oxford, but what was it about his bond with Paul that sparked the former Razorback's decision?

Well, video games had a lot to do with it.

"It was just normal, like two friends hanging out," Paul said. "Even before then, me and Dart were playing Fortnite together or Call of Duty or something. Just playing the game together, just getting to know each other.

"Once I entered the portal, he was one of the first guys to reach out when my name officially went through. Me and him built that bond by video games, if I'm being honest."

Paul suited up in 28 games with the Razorbacks, registering 138 total tackles and six sacks so far in his collegiate career. Along with Ole Miss, he held offers from other notable schools such as the TCU Horned Frogs, Auburn Tigers, Missouri Tigers, Florida State Seminoles, and Texas A&M Aggies before pulling the trigger and landing in Oxford.

His addition to the defense was not the only win in the portal for Ole Miss. The Rebels also added the likes of defensive lineman Walter Nolen (Texas A&M), edge rusher Princely Umanmielen, defensive back Trey Amos (Alabama) and others this offseason.