Paul Moala Bio
Paul Moala is an American professional football linebacker born on January 31, 2000, in Mishawaka, Indiana. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 229 pounds, he has built his career on versatility and resilience, transitioning across multiple college programs before reaching the professional ranks. Since 2024, Moala has been active in professional football, currently lining up for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League.
Across his journey, Moala has worn the uniforms of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the Idaho Vandals, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the Chicago Bears, building a reputation as a hard-working defender who overcame significant injuries to keep his playing career moving forward.
Early Life and Background
Paul Moala grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he attended Penn High School. A multi-sport athlete in his youth, Moala developed his love for football in a community that has long supported high school athletics, eventually emerging as a promising linebacker prospect. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the 20th overall prospect in the State of Indiana, drawing attention from several college football programs.
Beyond Notre Dame, Moala also held scholarship offers from Iowa, Hawaii, Air Force, and Utah State, a sign of how highly his high school tape was regarded. After weighing his options, he committed to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, choosing to chase his dream of competing at one of the most storied programs in college football.
His upbringing in Mishawaka and his development through the Penn High School program shaped the disciplined approach that has carried him through the ups and downs of his football career.
Path to American Football
Moala’s path to professional football began on the practice fields of Notre Dame, where he joined the Fighting Irish for the 2018 season. During his 2018 campaign, he appeared in seven games and recorded one tackle, getting his first taste of major college football while learning under a defensive coaching staff known for producing NFL-caliber defenders. He continued to grow in 2019, playing a larger role with the Fighting Irish.
The next two seasons were more difficult, as Moala suffered two Achilles tears in 2020 and 2021 that limited him to just four combined games. These injuries forced him to reassess his path and ultimately led him to enter the NCAA transfer portal, looking for a fresh opportunity to showcase his abilities. His decision to keep playing despite the setbacks became a defining part of his story.
After transferring to Idaho in 2022 and then to Georgia Tech in 2023, Moala rebuilt his resume with strong statistical seasons, ultimately declaring for the 2024 NFL draft and signing as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears.
Paul Moala Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Moala’s college career began at the University of Notre Dame during the 2018 season, where he played in seven games and made one tackle. In 2019, he saw more action and delivered one of the early highlights of his career, returning a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown in a victory over Navy during week 13 of the season. He finished that year with 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown, establishing himself as a versatile defender.
Unfortunately, injuries interrupted his momentum. During the shortened 2020 season, Moala played in just three games and recorded seven tackles before tearing his Achilles. The injury struck again in 2021, limiting him to only one game that year. After the 2021 season ended, Moala decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new setting where he could stay healthy and finish his college career on a stronger note.
Idaho Breakthrough (2022)
After entering the transfer portal, Moala joined the Idaho Vandals for the 2022 season and quickly delivered the best statistical season of his college career. Playing a full slate of games, he totaled 61 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five pass deflections, four interceptions, and one forced fumble, becoming a playmaker in all phases of the defense.
His interception total in particular stood out for a linebacker, showing off his ability to read quarterbacks and coverage routes. That breakout year at Idaho turned him into one of the more intriguing transfer portal names in college football heading into the next cycle.
Georgia Tech Final College Season (2023)
Looking for one more high-level challenge, Moala transferred to Georgia Tech for the 2023 season, where he continued to produce at a high level as a senior defender. In his lone season with the Yellow Jackets, he recorded 65 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass deflections, and three forced fumbles, anchoring the linebacker group against Atlantic Coast Conference competition.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, Moala declared for the 2024 NFL draft, confident that his Idaho and Georgia Tech production would attract professional interest. His ability to play downhill against the run while also providing pass-rush value made him a useful scheme fit for several defensive coordinators.
Chicago Bears Era (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, Paul Moala signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, getting his first opportunity at the highest level of professional football. He took part in the team’s offseason program and rookie minicamp, working to make an impression on the Bears’ defensive coaching staff.
His time in Chicago was brief, as he was waived on August 26, 2024, during the roster cutdown process. Even though his NFL stay in Chicago was short, the experience confirmed that he had the physical tools and work ethic to compete professionally, and it set the stage for his next opportunity.
San Antonio Brahmas Era (2025–Present)
On April 28, 2025, Paul Moala signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League, joining a spring league that has provided a competitive platform for players chasing another shot at the NFL or simply looking to keep their careers going. The Brahmas, based in San Antonio, Texas, compete in the UFL and have welcomed several former NFL-level players into their locker room.
For Moala, the move represented a chance to play meaningful snaps again, line up against experienced professional competition, and continue developing as a linebacker. His presence in the UFL has allowed him to stay active and productive while extending his professional career beyond his first NFL opportunity.
Driving Style and Strengths
Moala is a physical, downhill linebacker who thrives when asked to play the run and attack blockers at the line of scrimmage. His experience in multiple defensive schemes at Notre Dame, Idaho, and Georgia Tech has made him comfortable in a variety of alignments, and his background in coverage shows up in his pass-deflection and interception totals.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Moala’s career came during the 2019 Notre Dame season, when he returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown in a win over Navy. His 2022 season at Idaho, where he tallied four interceptions from the linebacker position, and his 2023 campaign at Georgia Tech, where he posted four sacks, also stand out as milestones in his college journey.
Paul Moala Career Wins
Paul Moala has built a professional résumé defined more by statistical production, durability, and career longevity than by traditional win totals, since linebacker production is typically measured in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and turnovers rather than personal victories. Across his college and professional stops, however, his statistical seasons and team victories reflect a player who has consistently contributed to winning defenses.
College Highlights
During his time at Notre Dame, Moala was part of competitive Fighting Irish defenses from 2018 through 2021, even as injuries cut into his playing time. His 2022 Idaho Vandals season saw him post 61 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five pass deflections, four interceptions, and a forced fumble, anchoring a defense that benefited from his all-around production.
His 2023 Georgia Tech campaign featured 65 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass deflections, and three forced fumbles, giving him his second consecutive standout statistical season. Together, those two seasons represent the peak of Moala’s college production and helped him earn his professional opportunities.
Other Performances
Outside of college, Moala earned his first NFL opportunity with the Chicago Bears in 2024, and in 2025 he signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL, continuing his professional career at a high level.
Paul Moala Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Paul Moala’s family background remain limited, with no widely verified information available about his parents or any family connection to football beyond his own playing career. He grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he attended Penn High School and developed into a college-level linebacker prospect.
Personal Life
Moala’s personal life is largely kept private, with no publicly verified information regarding a spouse, partner, or children. Off the field, he is known for his perseverance through two Achilles tears, a setback that has shaped his professional outlook and his commitment to keeping his football career moving forward.
2025 Season Performance
Paul Moala’s 2025 season is being played with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League, where he signed on April 28, 2025. The Brahmas compete in the spring UFL schedule, giving Moala a steady platform to keep playing professional football and continue developing as a linebacker.
Coming off two strong college seasons at Idaho and Georgia Tech, Moala has looked to translate that production into the UFL level, where he has been working to make an impact on the Brahmas’ defense. His experience in multiple college defensive systems and his proven ability to produce tackles, tackles for loss, and turnovers have positioned him as a useful rotational piece for the San Antonio defense.
Heading through the rest of the 2025 UFL season, Moala’s focus is on staying healthy, building consistency, and using the Brahmas’ spring schedule as a springboard for further professional opportunities, whether back in the NFL or in another top-tier league.