University of Connecticut Athletics
Keyshawn Paul is Looking to Make Another Leap
2/24/2020 12:54:00 PM | Football
UConn's defense improved from 2018 to 2019 in essentially every single way, but few players made as big of a leap as cornerback Keyshawn Paul.
Paul was one of the multitude of freshmen to get a lot of playing time in 2018, but he didn't really make an impact right away.
"[That first year] taught me that everybody's fast, everybody's talented," Paul said. "It's all about the mindset, who's good in mindset. It depends on who's well prepared for the game instead of just running around."
In 2019, he took a leap and became one of the team's best corners. In 12 games, Paul made 36 tackles (2.5 for a loss), broke up three passes and secured his first career interception. He said experience was a big factor in his emergence.
"Just hanging around the guys, taking responsibilities," Paul said. "Holding myself accountable just prepared me for the second year. More confidence."
He said he definitely saw the results from his improvements on the field. No result was bigger than his interception in the fourth quarter of UConn's game with ECU.
"When the score was 24-24, I gave my team an advantage to put points on the board," Paul said. "Best feeling in the world, like you got a million dollars in front of your face."
Paul said that in order for him to bring his game to the next level, he has to continue watching film, working with his coaches and doing the little things to improve. He's developed a special work ethic based on his experiences and will now be a leader on the defense.
"I've definitely handled adversity for sure," Paul said. "So it's kind of put me at a higher expectation of myself. I just go day by day looking to get better and better."
The defense will likely have a lot of chemistry this season with so many returning starters. Paul said he really expects them to click well and put up big numbers as a unit with their special bond.
"We always hang around each other," Paul said. "The new guys — we just bonded well and welcomed them in."
Paul especially has high expectations for himself. He wants to make at least five interceptions in his junior season.
A special note is that whatever he does this season, he will be doing in a new jersey number. Paul switched his number from 24 to No. 6 to honor Jasper Howard, the former UConn cornerback who was killed on campus during the 2009 season. Paul is from the same neighborhood in Miami, Florida, as Howard, and he wants to play in his memory for the rest of his time at UConn.
"I know what he means to this program, so I want to take the role and play every play like it's my last play," Paul said, mirroring Howard's famous quote that has become the motto of UConn football.
With Howard's spirit around him, Paul will look to help elevate the Huskies' defense this season.
