Paul Oliver spent most of the 2007 season waiting and watching, but the Chargers believe the second-year pro is ready to contribute to their secondary in 2008.
Paul Oliver has had to bide his time, but his patience has been rewarded with increased playing time on special teams as well as in the secondary. With Clinton Hart slowed by a shoulder injury late in the ’08 season, Oliver took advantage of the opportunity and intercepted his first-career pass in the Bolts’ AFC West clinching win over Denver.
A supplemental draft pick in 2007, Oliver played cornerback throughout his career at Georgia, but the Chargers like his versatility and are exploring different ways to get him on the field. Oliver is the only Charger selected in the supplemental draft since the team used a second-round pick in 1998 to take three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jamal Williams.
Oliver, who left school early to pursue his dreams of an NFL career, his continued his education at Georgia as he works toward his degree in consumer economics.
TRANSACTION HISTORY: Fourth-round draft choice by San Diego in the 2007 Supplemental Draft...signed four-year contract thru 2010, July 24, 2007.
2009: Recorded his second career interception on October 25, 2009 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Had first sack of career in week 10 against the Eagles. Returned a Matt Cassel fumble 40 yards to record his first-career touchdown in week 12 against the Chiefs.
2008: Season-high six TT Nov. 16 at Pittsburgh…first-career INT off Denver’s Jay Cutler in end zone to erase late 2Q drive in Dec. 28 season-ending and AFC West clinching win.
2007: INA for all 16 games and all three playoff contests.
COLLEGE: Career-high nine TT, including three TFLs in final college game, Chick-fil-A Bowl win over 14th-ranked Virginia Tech...as junior, sealed wins over Ole Miss and 16th-ranked Georgia Tech with late-game INTs...finished career with 94 TTs, seven INTs, three sacks and 8.5 TFLs...team’s Most Improved Defensive Player as soph.…team’s Iron Man Award at end of redshirt frosh season for perfect attendance at practice and workouts…entered NFL’s Supplemental Draft following junior season...redshirted in 2003...played at Georgia from 2003-06…majored in housing.
PERSONAL: Born in Kennesaw, Georgia…All-America as senior at Harrison High School in Kennesaw…INT 12 passes over final two prep seasons.