Paul Oliver’s initial plans didn’t work out.

He planned on returning for his senior season and be the leader of a defense that was to help compete for an SEC title.

He was supposed to return and earn first-team All-America honors and be a first round pick in the 2008 NFL draft.

Then his academic woes caught up with him, as Oliver was ruled ineligible at the end of the spring semester.

However, last Thursday Oliver’s fortunes reversed when he was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the NFL Supplemental Draft.

Not only does Oliver go to a Super Bowl contender, but he goes to a team that loves to utilize their depth of defensive backs, which could give Oliver a chance to play significant time within the next couple of years.

With starting corner Drayton Florence becoming an unrestricted free agent next year and publicly saying he would like to test the market, the selection of Oliver seems like the Chargers are preparing for Florence’s departure.

This would make former first-round picks Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie the starting two defensive backs with Oliver competing for the nickel spot – a position Oliver’s skill set should flourish in.

His football speed will be utilized here as a pass rusher on corner blitzes and his excellent cover skills will be coveted as many pass-heavy teams use the slot position as a threat more and more each year.

If anything, Oliver gives the Chargers valued depth at a position they need.

As this year’s NFL draft approached, Oliver’s stock fell to a projected seventh round pick – which ultimately led him to return to Athens for his senior season.

Now he’s a fourth rounder (the Chargers give up next year’s fourth round draft pick in the supplemental draft for Oliver) and on a legitimate Super Bowl contender with an excellent chance to see the field early.

This reversal is coming only two months after Oliver’s ineligibility was announced.

While Oliver’s mind was on other items instead of books, he is no fool. He has placed the blame of his failure to return on himself.

Oliver is a guy San Diego’s general manager A.J. Smith calls a “very competitive, aggressive, confident player,” but that confidence had to have taken a hit throughout the journey he has been through the last couple of months.

If Oliver has learned one thing this summer, it has to be that at any moment everything can be taken away, as there are no guarantees.

- Jason Butt is a staff writer for The Red and Black.