A year ago, Washington State found its quarterback and its offensive coordinator tucked away at FCS Incarnate Word. This year, the Cougs went back to the Texas school but this time for defensive help.

Former UIW linebacker Isaiah Paul has committed to Washington State. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound defender announced the news on his social media page Monday. He’ll have two years of eligibility for the Cougs, who are in major need of some depth at linebacker.

 

Paul was limited to five games this past season because of injury. He appeared in the Cardinals’ first three games, then spent the next two months on the shelf. He returned to the lineup in mid-November, but another injury took him right back off the field.

A month later, he returned with a bang in UIW’s FCS playoff semifinal matchup against North Dakota State, where he recorded a game-high 14 tackles with three TFLs and a sack.

During the previous four seasons, he made appearances in 35 games for UIW and recorded 137 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He was named a third-team All-Southland performer in 2020 and then a second-teamer in 2021.

Paul is the third linebacker to commit to transferring to Wazzu since the season ended. Devin Richardson (Texas) signed with WSU last month. Ahmad McCullough (Maryland) committed to the Cougars last week. They’ll look to make up for departures from All-Pac-12 linebacker Daiyan Henley (NFL), Francisco Mauigoa (transfer), and Travion Brown (transfer).