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Paul tops the opening fall depth at middle linebacker. Okumu was projected as a key member of the 2001 defensive unit, but a knee injury 10 days before the start of the season forced him into a redshirt year. He came to San Jose State as a 2000 JC Grid Wire honorable mention All-American for Mount San Antonio College (Coach Bill Fisk). The graduate of Ontario (Calif.) High School lettered in football (Coach Jim Farreso), basketball and track and field. He was a tailback and linebacker on the football team. As a senior, he rushed for 985 yards and was credited with 95 tackles. Okumu was his team's "Most Valuable Player," a first-team all-league and first-team all-valley honoree. On the track and field team, he was a sprinter on the 4x100 relay squad. He enjoys writing poetry. Okumu hopes to work with underprivileged youths. Paul was born in Pasadena, Calif., on August 29, 1979.