Gionni Paul is 99 percent Utah Man. But something is missing.

The final one percent will come Saturday when the Utes' linebacker suits up for his final game -- the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl -- against a team he’s never faced but has heard plenty of stories about.

The rivalry between Utah and BYU is nationally known and nationally relevant. And Paul knew there were frosty feelings between the schools even before he decided to transfer from one ‘U’ (Miami) to another before the start of the 2013 season. But because of the transfer, he had to sit out 2013 and thus missed the last Holy War before it went on a two-year break.

The rivalry was scheduled to resume next fall, long after Paul will have departed and moved on to an NFL career. But fates conspired to bring the two schools together months earlier than scheduled in Las Vegas. And it’s there that Utah’s defensive leader will get a chance to see firsthand exactly what this rivalry is all about.

“I’ve heard so much about it so I can’t wait,” Paul said. “Alums and guys who have played in it before, they try to explain, but also say you can’t really know until you’ve played in it. They say get ready for the most physical game you’ve ever played in. I like those kinds of games so I’m ready for it.”

Paul’s two-year stint with Utah has been beneficial for all parties involved. He left Miami after his sophomore season on mutual terms. He says he was too much of a “knucklehead” early in his career. And with a daughter on the way, he needed a change of scenery.

“I needed to humble myself,” he said. “My life was all over the place. I needed to humble myself as a father and as a student and as a football player.”

He found that humility in Salt Lake City, and watching his new team go 5-7 in 2013 while he redshirted stuck with him. So while there are some (mostly Utah fans) who are disappointed that the Utes have been relegated to the Las Vegas Bowl for the second straight season, Paul said he’s just happy to be going bowling.

Paul’s performance in 2015 earned him first-team All-Pac-12 accolades. He ranked second in the league in tackles (109) and tackles per game (9.1) He led his team with 12.5 tackles for a loss and had a team-high seven takeaways in form of four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. If you count the fumble he forced that was recovered by Utah, he’s had a hand in eight turnovers.

“He’s got a knack for the big play and being around the ball,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “He’s got interceptions and fumble recoveries. He seems to be in the right place at the right time. Some guys just have a knack for that and he’s one of those guys.”

It was a previous relationship with Utah’s Dennis Erickson that brought Paul to Utah. Erickson had recruited Paul when he was the head coach at Arizona State, so when Paul decided he was going to make a move, there was already a connection.

“We’re elated he came to us,” Whittingham said. “He’s had a very, very productive senior year and been a huge part of our success.”

This is also Paul’s last chance to impress NFL scouts. At 5-foot-10, 225 pounds, Paul might be considered to be undersized. But as the pro game continues to evolve with more emphasis on spread passing, Whittingham said he believes there’s a spot for Paul at the next level.

“I think he projects very well,” Whittingham said. “I think the 6-3, 255-pound plugger is becoming extinct. You’re seeing more 230-pound guys who can play in space. That’s the trend. He’s quick, explosive and instinctive. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get an opportunity to play at the next level.”