Paul Moala

Paul Moala

Personal information
Born:	(2000-01-31) January 31, 2000 (age 25)[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
Chicago Bears (2024)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only

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.

Early life and high school

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] Ultimately, Moala decided to commit to play college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.[4][5]

College career

Notre Dame

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

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

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

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

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+1⁄5 in (1.83 m)	230 lb (104 kg)	31+3⁄4 in (0.81 m)	9+1⁄4 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

1. "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.

External links

• Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio
• Idaho Vandals bio
• Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets bio