Father of Razorback Lineback Pulls Back Curtain on Why His Son Is Transferring

Since deleted Tweet proves former Arkansas star tight end was on right track in comments following Missouri game

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Dec 4, 2023 9:40 AM EST
Original:
Dec 4, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It's not often in the college world that fans get a peek behind the curtain, but that's exactly what Razorback football fans got over the weekend for a short time.

In.a tweet that has since been taken down, Chris Paul, Sr., father of Arkansas linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul, took exception to the idea his son was leaving the program because of NIL. Instead, he included a clip of former Arkansas tight end DJ Williams speaking after the loss to Missouri on his "4th & 5" podcast.

Arrows and capital letters alerted those who saw the post to what Paul indicated is the real reason his son will be headed elsewhere as the portal opens today. In the clip, Williams speaks directly about Paul and a specific observation of the Hogs' linebacker.

"I see some leaders out there, there's no doubt about that," Williams says around the 11:45 mark. "I look at Chris 'Pooh' Paul. I love the way he plays. And I can see the passion and he's out there pissed at his own teammates. Not calling anybody, not doing all that. He's just pissed because he's like 'What are we doing? All these mental mistakes. Just take this stuff serious.' It's wild to me how some of these guys don't take it serous."

Williams addressed NIL as a reason Paul may be headed out the door, but not in the way many fans speculated. Instead, Williams said it was what NIL did to the players around Paul that left him frustrated.

"In this era, I get it because they're about to go home after getting their butt whopped and they're gonna look at their bank account, and a lot of those guys have $80,000 and $200,000," Williams said. "They're like, 'OK, yeah, we're fine.' I don't even know what to say."

Numerous Razorback fans responded to the tweet, so those thoughts and responses remain despite Paul's father removing it. With Paul and fellow linebacker Jordan Crook announcing they are leaving the team, it will definitely be a position of need in the portal this week.