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Jake Paul Plans to Play College Football at Stanford

Published 25 June 2026

Social media star and professional boxer Jake Paul has announced an ambitious plan to pursue a career in football after his boxing career concludes, aiming to play as a slot receiver for Stanford University before attempting to reach the NFL. Paul, 29, made the revelation during a recent appearance on the a16z podcast, insisting he is serious about the goal.

Paul stated that he initially considered bypassing college football and attempting to join an NFL team directly, mentioning the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys as potential destinations. He acknowledged that teams would likely want to see him play first, leading him to the idea of walking onto the Stanford football team to gain experience. He expressed a belief that his age and size could give him an advantage over younger college players.

The announcement quickly sparked widespread reaction online and from figures within the sports world. Former NFL star Antonio Brown offered a blunt assessment on social media, suggesting Paul would quickly discover the physical demands of professional football. Other analysts pointed to the specialized skills required for a slot receiver, such as route-running intelligence, footwork,...

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