Paul Moala (born January 31, 2000)[1] is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Idaho Vandals, and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Paul Moala
Personal information
Born: (2000-01-31) January 31, 2000 (age 24)[1]
Mishawaka, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:229 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Penn (Mishawaka, Indiana)
College:Notre Dame (2018–2021)
Idaho (2022)
Georgia Tech (2023)
Position:Linebacker
Undrafted:2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Early life and high school

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Moala attended high school at Penn. Coming out of high school, Moala was rated as a three star recruit, and the 20th overall prospect in the State of Indiana.[2] Moala also held offers from schools such as Notre Dame, Iowa, Hawaii, Air Force, Utah State.[3] Ultimitely, Moala decided to commit to play college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.[4][5]

College career

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Notre Dame

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During the 2018 season, Moala played in seven games where he made one tackle.[6] In week 13 of the 2019 season, Moala returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown, in a win over Navy.[7] In the 2019 season, Moala totaled 14 tackles with one being for a loss, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, and a touchdown.[8] During the 2020 season, Moala played in just three games where he had seven tackles before tearing his Achilles.[9] In the 2021 season, Moala played in just one game before tearing his Achilles once again.[10] After the conclusion of the 2021 season, Moala decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[11][12]

Idaho

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Moala decided to transfer to play for the Idaho Vandals.[13][14] During the 2022 season, Moala had a breakout year, totaling 61 tackles with seven being for a loss, five pass deflections, four interceptions, and a forced fumble.[15] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Moala decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal once again.[16][17]

Georgia Tech

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Moala transferred to play his final season at Georgia Tech.[18][19] During Moala's lone season with Georgia Tech, he notched 65 tackles with 11 being for a loss, four sacks, two pass deflections, and three forced fumbles.[20] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Moala decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.[21]

Statistics

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Total Solo Ast Sack PD Int Yds TD FF FR TD
2018 Notre Dame 7 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 Notre Dame 12 0 14 6 8 0.0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
2020 Notre Dame 3 0 7 5 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 Notre Dame 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 Idaho 12 11 61 29 32 2.0 5 4 21 0 1 0 0
2023 Georgia Tech 13 13 65 37 28 4.0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0
Career 48 24 148 78 70 6.0 7 4 21 0 5 1 1

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 0+15 in
(1.83 m)
230 lb
(104 kg)
31+34 in
(0.81 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.76 s 1.57 s 2.70 s 4.39 s 7.18 s 36 in
(0.91 m)
9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)
All values from Pro Day[22]

After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Moala decided to sign with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.[23][24] He was waived on August 26.[25]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Paul Moala". ourlads.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  2. ^ Farmer, Douglas (December 20, 2017). "Notre Dame gets the letter: Paul Moala, local safety". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  3. ^ James, Tyler (June 11, 2017). "Local safety Paul Moala earns Notre Dame offer at Irish Invasion". The Reporter-Times. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  4. ^ James, Tyler (October 22, 2017). "Local safety Paul Moala commits to Notre Dame". The Herald-Times. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  5. ^ Farmer, Douglas (July 14, 2018). "Notre Dame 99-to-2: No. 13 Paul Moala, local safety, incoming freshman". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  6. ^ Farmer, Douglas (July 27, 2021). "Notre Dame 99-to-0: No. 13 Paul Moala, senior linebacker coming off an Achilles injury". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Pixley, Trevon (September 9, 2022). "Midwest return: For Idaho linebacker Paul Moala, it'll be a homecoming in Indiana". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "Paul Moala 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  9. ^ Farmer, Douglas (October 12, 2020). "Notre Dame defensive flux continues with LB Paul Moala out for the year". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  10. ^ Engel, Patrick (April 6, 2022). "Newsstand: Former Notre Dame LB Paul Moala picks transfer destination". On3.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  11. ^ Waddell, Samantha (January 10, 2022). "Penn alum and Irish senior LB Paul Moala to transfer". WSBT.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  12. ^ Clark, Geoffrey (January 2, 2022). "Notre Dame punter Bramblett, linebacker Moala enter transfer portal". Fighting Irish Wire. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Harriman, Peter (August 25, 2022). "Idaho transfers Paul Moala and Juliano Falaniko come from two sides of storied rivalry to team up on Vandals' defense". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  14. ^ McKinnell, Zach (June 14, 2022). "FORMER NOTRE DAME LB PAUL MOALA TRANSFERS TO IDAHO". The Bluebloods. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  15. ^ Sugiura, Ken. "Linebacker Paul Moala transfers to Georgia Tech from Idaho". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  16. ^ Green, Travis (April 25, 2023). "Idaho linebacker Paul Moala enters transfer portal". KREM.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Pixley, Trevon (April 26, 2023). "UI loses another defensive centerpiece to the portal". Moscow Pullman Daily-News. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  18. ^ Bishop, Chad. "Linebacker Paul Moala ready to shine for Georgia Tech". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  19. ^ Caudell, Jackson (May 16, 2023). "Former Notre Dame And Idaho Linebacker Paul Moala Commits To Georgia Tech". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  20. ^ Caudell, Jackson (April 29, 2024). "Georgia Tech Linebacker Paul Moala Receives Rookie Mini Camp Invite From The Chicago Bears". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  21. ^ Caudell, Jackson (December 9, 2023). "Georgia Tech Linebacker Paul Moala Officially Declares for 2024 NFL Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  22. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Paul Moala College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  23. ^ Caudell, Jackson (May 13, 2024). "Former Georgia Tech Linebacker Paul Moala Signs With the Chicago Bears After Rookie Minicamp Tryout". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  24. ^ Bishop, Chad (April 29, 2024). "Former Georgia Tech linebacker gets shot with Chicago Bears". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  25. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 26, 2024). "Roster Moves: Bears waive nine players". ChicagoBears.com.
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