RB Andrew Paul brings blue-collar work ethic to Georgia

History repeated itself at Dallas (Texas) Parish for the second time in as many years: another late-bloomer provides some drama on National Signing Day.

Following in Austin Uke’s (Stanford) blueprint from a year ago, three-star running back Andrew Paul signed with Georgia on Wednesday. Bulldogs assistant Dell McGee offered Paul last month and edged out Clemson and Michigan following a convincing official visit last weekend.

The SEC came calling for Paul midway through his breakout senior season. Each of his finalists offered after the Early Signing Period, which followed another TAPPs state title run by Parish.

“You want this for every player, but for it to happen to someone like Andrew it’s incredible,” Parish head coach Dan Novakov told On3. “It’s incredible. It helps you solidify what you preach — that if you handled your business and do things the right way and do what you’re supposed to, things work out.”

National champs get a driven RB

Paul piled up more than 1,600 yards through his first two varsity seasons before eclipsing 2,800 yards from scrimmage as a senior.

“The first thing that sticks out with good players is you see progression,” Novakov said of his tailback who averaged almost 10 yards per clip.

That didn’t occur by accident.

Paul awoke at 5 a.m. during his official visits to work out before beginning his day. He’s not much for complaining and refuses to remain complacent.

“Instead of resting and instead of asking why he was being slept on, he kept putting in the work and you saw the product on the field,” Novakov said. “You saw the steps and the gains he made in terms of breakaway speed, balance, making cuts at full speed, and it shows up on film.”

“He’s going to do everything in his power to be the best football player he can and hold up his end of the bargain,” he added. “Big-time college football is about opportunity and luck, and some things you can’t control. Andrew will do everything he can to be in the best position to play at Georgia on the biggest stage in college football and it wouldn’t surprise me hear Commissioner (Roger) Goodell call his name in three years.”

Paul brings bruising style to Georgia’s backfield

Paul was the driving force of Parish’s state championship-winning offense. The 6-foot, 200-plus-pounder amassed more than 2,800 yards and 44 touchdowns running between the tackles with a fantastic cut-back style and breakaway speed in the open field.

Paul has enormous lower-body strength and powers through defenders with ease. His physical style should compliment bruiser Branson Robinson and a massive offensive line.

Paul is the No. 36 running back in the nation, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. On3 ranks him as the No. 30 running back.