Paul graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976.
A defensive back, he played football as one of head coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan’s “Amazin’s” that defeated Paul “Bear” Bryant’s number 2 ranked (10-0) Alabama Crimson Tide in the 1972 Iron Bowl, by the score of 17-16. It has become known in the annals of SEC college football as the “Punt Bama Punt” game. The Auburn Tigers went 9-1 that year and finished 5th in the nation, ending the season with a Gator Bowl victory over the University of Colorado Buffaloes.
As a walk-on, Paul played cornerback during his freshman and sophomore years and was moved to safety for his junior and senior years. A varsity letterman, he played on three bowl teams and was a member of Coach Jordan’s last senior class.