The Huskers just lost a piece of the 2021 recruiting class.
Chris Paul Jr., an inside linebacker from Georgia, said that he would be leaving Nebraska’s class on Thursday. He announced his intentions on social media.
I feel like this is the BEST decision not only for me…. but for my family as well✊🏾❤️ Thank You Husker Nation🌽 @ChadSimmons_ @Rivalsfbcamps @RivalsBryan @ChristophetSr @CConnerdc @BradHarber1 pic.twitter.com/wCeZs3O0rc
— Christopher “POOH” Paul Jr. (@PoohPaul4) June 18, 2020
Paul committed to the Huskers back in March. He was just the fourth commitment of the class at that time. Since then, the group had swelled to 10 but is now back to nine after his departure. While leading his team to a state championship appearance last season, he racked up 157 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. Even though Paul lives in Georgia, he was well aware of Nebraska’s brand of football. That is what drew him to pick the Huskers in the first place.
“Nebraska plays that hard-nosed football,” Paul said at the time. “Here in South Georgia we love that. That’s how we play down here. It’s the same type of ball that Nebraska plays. That’s why a lot of Georgia kids are having more interest in Nebraska than some SEC and ACC school. That’s no offense because you have some of those schools who play smash mouth ball but Nebraska is the true definition of that.”
Even though Paul had been committed to Nebraska for a few months ,other schools continued to show interest in him. He recently received an offer from Tennessee. The Vols figure to get a strong look from him, along with Louisville and Cincinnati.
#AGTG After a GREAT conversation with Coach @shelton_felton, I am blessed to announce that I’ve received my FIRST SEC offer from The University Of Tennessee!!!🟠⚪️🟠⚪️ #GoVols @BradHarber1 @CConnerdc @ChristophetSr @Vol_Football @Rivalsfbcamps @ChantryceBoone @CoachJPruitt pic.twitter.com/xvdrQYP2ZE
— Christopher “POOH” Paul Jr. (@PoohPaul4) June 15, 2020
Paul is the first to decommit from Nebraska this cycle. The Huskers will be back on the market for at least one more inside linebacker and will also likely add one more outside linebacker.
Nebraska still has four linebackers in the recruiting class. Will Schweitzer and Patrick Payton are slated to start their careers at outside linebacker. Seth Malcom and Randolph Kpai are scheduled to start off in inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud’s room.
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
