We Speak Sports

LA Rams Bolsters Defense With Bold Move to Draft Ole Miss Linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul

Published

1 year ago

May 7, 2025

Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr., a standout linebacker from Ole Miss, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 172nd overall pick. The Rams surprisingly traded up 29 spots to secure him, demonstrating their strong interest in his potential.

Chris Paul Jr. speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, wearing a black beanie and a sleeveless hoodie with the number '22' on it.

Paul, who hails from Cordele, Georgia began his college career at Arkansas, where he played for three seasons before transferring to Ole Miss in 2024. In his lone season with the Rebels, he earned Second-Team All-SEC honors and was named a Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press. He led the team with 88 tackles, including 11 for loss, and added 3.5 sacks, one interception, and four pass breakups. His performance made him a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker.

The Rams see Paul as a valuable addition to their linebacker corps, which includes players like Nate Landman, Troy Reeder, and Omar Speights. His arrival is expected to intensify competition for starting roles and add depth to the defense.

We Speak Volleyball

Amador Goes on the Road and Knocks Off Mariposa County 3-1 in the Playoff Opener

Published

41 minutes ago

November 2, 2026

We Speak Media

The Amador volleyball players pose on the team bus during the trip to Mariposa.

Photo courtesy of Amador Volleyball.

Amador made the long trip to Mariposa County on Tuesday night and came home with a playoff win, beating the Grizzlies 3-1 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs.

The Buffaloes took the opening set 25-22, dropped a tight second set 26-24, and then took over the match. Amador won the third set 25-19 and closed out the fourth 25-15 to finish off one of the bigger road wins of the opening round anywhere in the section.

The result was no small feat. Mariposa County entered the playoffs as the undefeated Southern League champion, 14-0 in league play, and the Grizzlies had not lost a league match in 42 straight outings dating back through their run of dominance, according to The Mariposan. Their only losses all season had come against larger schools, and they were playing at home in front of their own crowd.

None of that slowed the Buffaloes, who turned the night into a team celebration. The program’s own social post from the trip called it a fierce fight for the win after the long ride south, a bus trip, and a stop on the way. After dropping the second set, Amador answered with its two most comfortable sets of the night to seal the upset.

The win advanced Amador to the Division V quarterfinals, where the Buffaloes’ run ended Thursday with a 3-1 loss at Bret Harte. Mariposa County closed a standout season at 27-11, its league championship streak stopped one match into the postseason by a Sutter Creek team that refused to be intimidated.

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