An undersized and overachieving linebacker, Mefford has ranked among the most productive defenders in the Southland Conference each of the last two seasons while also ranking among the most distinguished football student-athletes in the nation. He is the two-=time recipient of the Southland Conference football Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards and of NSU’s Charlie Tolar Football Scholarship, given in memory of the All-American and All-Pro fullback to a player who combines athletic achievement and scholarship and leadership. Ironically, he’s nearly a ringer for Tolar and has become a favorite of Tolar’s family. Fiery and full-tilt on the field, Mefford has 197 tackles in the last two years.
Other Honors: Academic All-District Vi, 2004; Academic All-SLC , 2004; Academic All-District VI, 2003; Academic All-SLC, 2003; SLC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll, 2003; Athletic Honor Roll, Gold (g.p.a. of at least 3.5), Fall 2002, 2003, 2004, Spring 2002, 2003.
2004: Second-leading tackler (97) for the Southland Conference leader in total defense… had 8 tackles for loss (-32), 3 sacks (-22), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery… had 6 hits in season opener at Division I-A La.-Lafayette… led team with 8 hits and a sack (-10) in win at Jackson State… 5 hits, 1 tackle for loss (-2), and 1 fumble recovery (6) in rout of Oklahoma Panhandle… 7 hits, 1.5 tackles for loss (-8), and 0.5 sacks (-5) in win over Appalachian State… 6 hits and 1.5 sacks (-6) in domination of McNeese State… 4 hits, 0.5 tackles for loss (-1), and 1 forced fumble vs. Texas State… led team with 9 hits and 0.5 tackles for loss (-1) in conference title bout with Sam Houston State… 4 hits and 1 QB hurry at Stephen F. Austin… led team with 14 hits in playoff game at Montana.
2003: The SLC’s only first-team Academic All-District VI selection, becoming one of 24 Division I linebackers to appear on the Academic All-America ballot, posting a cumulative 3.91 grade point average in business administration … the second-0leading tackler (100) for the nation’s No. 9-ranked team in total defense … also ranked among SLC leaders with 11.5 tackles for lost yardage and 3.5 quarterback sacks … led Demons with 10 hits, 1 tackle for loss (-5), 1 QB hurry in 23-7 near-shutout of Jackson State … 8 hits vs. Delaware State … 14 hits at Northern Iowa … team-high 9 hits in blowout of Southeastern Louisiana … had 4 hits, 1 sack (-5), 2 QB hurries in 49-19 rout of Texas State … 7 hits, a fumble recovery vs Nicholls State … 9 hits, 1 sack vs. Sam Houston … 5 hits, 2 tackles for loss (-12) at McNeese State.
2002: Played extensively as a true freshman walk-on, both on defense and on special teams … made 24 tackles in 11 games … 3 tackles in his college debut vs. Delta State … 4 tackles at Georgia … 5 tackles in shutout of Southwestern Oklahoma … 3 tackles, 1 sack (-12), 2 QB hurries in playoff-clinching win at Stephen F. Austin.
High School: Defensive MVP of District 22-5A and a first-team All-District linebacker after making 108 tackles as a senior … helped Kingwood go 9-3 and reach the regional semifinals … second-team All-Greater Houston, honorable mention All-State … finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club’s Prep Player of the Year … had a sack and caused two fumbles in the Texas High School All-Star Game … was also Defensive MVP in District 22-5A as a junior when he had 94 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 caused fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries … was a second-team All-District fullback as a sophomore with 323 yards rushing and 121 receiving … in freshman football, he had 900 yards rushing and 3 kickoff return TDs … also played soccer as a freshman and scored 13 goals, ranking as his team’s second-leading scorer for a 22-0 club that won the district title … football team was 24-9 in his three varsity seasons, ranked 5th in the state in his sophomore year … carried a 3.72 grade point average and was a member of the National Honor Society and received a Presidential Scholarship award.
Personal: 22 years old, born 7/9/83 … son of Bob and Sherry Mefford .. one brother, Stephen (25) … full name is Paul Clayton Mefford, nickname is “Meffdog” … majoring in business administration.
