University of Houston Athletics
Paul Off the Board with Second Round NFL Draft Selection
4/26/2024 8:39:00 PM | Football
Cougar standout becomes program’s second highest drafted offensive lineman
DETROIT – University of Houston Football's Patrick Paul became the program's highest drafted offensive lineman in three decades when the Houston native was selected in the NFL Draft on Friday night.
The Jersey Village High School product was selected with the 55th overall pick in the Second Round by the Miami Dolphins. Paul joins fellow offensive tackles Billy Milner (First Round, 25th overall pick, Miami, 1994 NFL Draft) and Sebastian Vollmer (Second Round, 58th overall pick, New England, 2009 NFL Draft) as the only offensive linemen in program history to be selected in the Top-2 rounds.
Paul is Houston's sixth Top-2 round selection in the last nine years (2016-present) and is the Cougars' highest drafted offensive player since wide receiver Donnie Avery was taken with the 33rd overall pick (Second Round) in 2008.
He is the seventh Cougar all-time to be drafted by the Dolphins and first since center Rex Hadnot in 2004 (Sixth Round, 174th overall pick). Paul's elite five-year career at Houston included a 90.2 pass block grade, the fourth-highest among NFL Draft-eligible offensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
In 2023, he earned All-America status by multiple publications including Second-Team honors from The Athletic and ESPN. The First-Team All-Big 12 Conference honoree boasted the nation's best pass block grade among tackles (91.5), permitting just one sack in 469 opportunities.
Paul becomes Houston's 193rd all-time NFL Draft selection, extending the Cougars' streak to nine consecutive years with a draft pick (2016-present), trailing only Texas A&M among in-state schools and Arizona State among 2024-25 Big 12 Conference members. The streak is Houston's longest since going 13 straight years from 1974-86.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
The Jersey Village High School product was selected with the 55th overall pick in the Second Round by the Miami Dolphins. Paul joins fellow offensive tackles Billy Milner (First Round, 25th overall pick, Miami, 1994 NFL Draft) and Sebastian Vollmer (Second Round, 58th overall pick, New England, 2009 NFL Draft) as the only offensive linemen in program history to be selected in the Top-2 rounds.
Paul is Houston's sixth Top-2 round selection in the last nine years (2016-present) and is the Cougars' highest drafted offensive player since wide receiver Donnie Avery was taken with the 33rd overall pick (Second Round) in 2008.He is the seventh Cougar all-time to be drafted by the Dolphins and first since center Rex Hadnot in 2004 (Sixth Round, 174th overall pick). Paul's elite five-year career at Houston included a 90.2 pass block grade, the fourth-highest among NFL Draft-eligible offensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
In 2023, he earned All-America status by multiple publications including Second-Team honors from The Athletic and ESPN. The First-Team All-Big 12 Conference honoree boasted the nation's best pass block grade among tackles (91.5), permitting just one sack in 469 opportunities.
Paul becomes Houston's 193rd all-time NFL Draft selection, extending the Cougars' streak to nine consecutive years with a draft pick (2016-present), trailing only Texas A&M among in-state schools and Arizona State among 2024-25 Big 12 Conference members. The streak is Houston's longest since going 13 straight years from 1974-86.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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