APPLETON, Wis. -- Lawrence University football standout Jahlan Paul is the NCAA Division III statistical champion in two categories.
    Paul (North Lauderdale, Fla. Westminster) led the nation in interceptions per game and passes defensed. A first-year cornerback, Paul finished the season with seven interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 10 games. 
    "Everything that young man got this year he earned through hard work each and every day," Lawrence head coach Tony Aker said of Paul.
    Paul recorded a season-best two interceptions twice during the season. He picked off a pair of passes against Cornell College and Beloit College, including one he returned for a game-clinching touchdown in Lawrence's victory over the Bucs. He also recorded interceptions at Monmouth College, vs. Grinnell College and at Illinois College. 
    Paul picked up a season-best four pass breakups against the University of Chicago and recorded three in games at Monmouth and at Beloit.
    In the interceptions per game category, Paul finished with 0.7 interceptions per game and that tied with Justin McMahon of Lakeland University and Ty Richardson of Tufts University. In the passes defensed category, Paul finished at 2.0 per game (13 INTs/7 PBUs), and that tied him with Cormaic Flynn of Loras College. 
    These are just the latest honors for Paul, who was chosen as a D3 Football All-Freshman Team by The Third Division. Paul also was chosen as the Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year and was a first-team all-league choice. He earned D3football.com All-Region 5 third-team honors as well.