Paul Soliai, of Samoan descent, attended PolyTechnical High School in Pago Pago, American Samoa where he was team captain as a senior. He spent two seasons at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was a two-time All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference offensive lineman. He earned an honorable mention All-American selection in 2002 and was a First-team junior college All-American as a sophomore in 2003. Considered a four-star recruit out of junior college by Rivals.com, Soliai was listed as the No. 32 non-high school player in the nation. 

 

Soliai transferred to the University of Utah in 2004 and was redshirted his first season. He played in 12 games as a junior in 2005 at defensive tackle with twenty-five tackles, 1.5 of which were for a loss. He made four stops against rival Utah State, including an assisted tackle for a loss. He also had a 10-yard sack against Arizona. In 12 games at nose guard as a senior in 2006, Soliai recorded 35 tackles (13 solo), 3.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks for 15 yards, four pass break-ups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. He earned a Second-team All-Mountain West Conference selection. 

 

The Miami Dolphins drafted Soliai in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft signing a four-year contract on June 7. On January 24, 2012, Soliai was added to the AFC Pro Bowl Roster to replace Ravens DT Haloti Ngata. On March 14, 2012, Soliai signed a 2-year extension with the Miami Dolphins for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Soliai signed with the Atlanta Falcons for the 2014 and 2015 seasons competing in the Super Bowl vs. the New England Patriots. He signed to play his final season with the Carolina Panthers in 2016. On April 19, 2018, Soliai signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Dolphins.

 

Paul and his wife Letasha have two children, Paul and Hannah.