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2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tiji Paul, DB, University of the Incarnate Word

2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tiji Paul, DB, University of the Incarnate Word
Tiji Paul the versatile defensive back from the University of the Incarnate Word recently sat down with Justin Berendzen of Draft Diamonds.
  • Name: Tiji Paul
  • Position: DB
  • College: University of the Incarnate Word
  • Height: 5’9 3/4”
  • Weight: 170 lbs
  • Twitter: @tijipaul_2
  • Instagram: @toon_5k

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Growing up in a small town where I’m from there are not a lot of options for a good life so at a young age it was already instilled that football was the way to better my life and my family!

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

I will say that my favorite moments from my football life are when I played on the offensive side of the ball I played QB/WR every time I touched the ball I would score a touchdown so that feeling of scoring a touchdown is just different from a feeling from anything!

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

I would say my brother inspired me the most he was a 3-star WR coming out of high school just watching him pick up division 1 offers from power 5 schools just gave me a lot of hope, so once he signed to Texas A&M University I knew I could play division 1 football somewhere as well!

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I am looking forward to having a playoff run and a shot at the national championship while playing one of the best seasons of my career, I got hurt last season so I’m really looking forward to a healthy season as well!

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

It would most definitely be Deion Sanders. He was one of the most dominant players in NFL players of all time plus he plays the same position as me so I know he would have a lot of free tips at playing the cornerback position as well about life.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Incarnate Word?

I would say a few of my favorite things about playing for UIW is the culture that it has behind it since I stepped on campus it has always been about winning, we didn’t have the best facilities but we always work hard like we did it’s like a real family vibe around campus, I have two conferences championships rings and playoffs appearances.

What should we know about Tiji Paul the person?

I am a person that always keeps God first cause without him none of this would be possible. I have a 4-year-old daughter that I had my senior year of high school she’s the reason I get up every morning and give it my all I really like how you do anything is how you do everything. I have a bachelor’s degree as well.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I love the 4-2-5 defenses because there’s an extra DB on the field and you can do a lot of things with that DB such as blitz him or have him play coverage you can stop the run and also stop the pass!

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

Whenever I’m having challenges on the football field or in life I just try to tell myself that there’s always somebody that’s in a worst situation than me so I just pray about it and let God handle the situation.

What would a team get in a player like you?

They will get a player that knows how to win and that is very committed to the game of football, I love to compete me being a smaller DB my whole life I always had to play bigger than my size so every day I feel like I have something to prove this chip on my shoulder is forever.

What stands out about your film the most?

I can play press-man very well, I am very good in space with my hips and reaction time so I feel like that help me stands out a lot and I’m very good at finishing every play even if the WR catches the ball I find a way to get it out. Me being a 5th year DB in college has helped me a lot when it comes to slowing the game down so I feel like I’m a very smart player as well when it comes to route recognition or seeing a play before from a film session.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

The most underrated player I played with is Kevon Latulas he attended Kilgore College with me he could play RB or WR he was very elite at both positions he just got moved around a lot there so he couldn’t really show his talents but I definitely thought he was a stud should have went power 5.

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