Bumper Pool (American football)

Last updated

Bumper Pool
Bumper Pool (53752267584) (cropped).jpg
Pool with the Michigan Panthers in 2024
No. 47 – Michigan Panthers
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1999-09-28) September 28, 1999 (age 24)
Lucas, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school: Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas)
College: Arkansas (2018–2022)
Undrafted: 2023
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Player stats at PFR

Bumper James Morris Pool (born James Morris Pool; September 28, 1999) is an American football linebacker for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Arkansas and he is the school's leader in all-time tackles with 441.

Contents

High school career

Pool attended Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas. After a performance that included 19 tackles and three tackles for loss, Pool was named the Defensive player of the week by The Dallas Morning News . [1] A four-star recruit, Pool had offers from Arkansas, Michigan, and Alabama. [2] Pool committed to play college football at the University of Arkansas. [3]

College career

In Pool's first career game, as a freshman in 2018, he contributed with six tackles and a fumble return. [4] In his freshman season, Pool played in ten games totaling 29 tackles. [5] As a sophomore in 2019, Pool amassed 94 tackles including 6.5 tackles for loss. [6] The following season, Pool was named to the Second team All-SEC. [7] In a shortened ten-game season, Pool recorded 101 total tackles. [8] He averaged 11.2 tackles per game finishing second in the SEC. In 2021, Pool once again was named to the Second team All-SEC, tallying 125 tackles. [9] Pool decided to return for a fifth year at Arkansas, using the year of eligibility granted from the COVID-19 shortened season. [10] Entering the season, Pool was named to the Butkus Award watch list. [11] Pool was also named to the Phil Steele preseason First team All-SEC and Second team All-American teams. [12] [13] Pool was named the 39th best player in the upcoming college football season by ESPN. [14] In his final season, Pool totaled 92 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks, while being named to the Second team All-SEC for the third consecutive season. [15] With 441 career tackles, Pool became the school's all-time leading tackler, surpassing Tony Bua's previous record of 408. [16]

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Pool was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. [17] He was waived on August 26, 2023. [18]

Michigan Panthers

On May 22, 2024, Pool signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). [19]

Personal life

When Pool was 16, he legally changed his name to Bumper James Morris Pool. [20] [21] [22] The name Bumper originated from his father's love for bumper pool as a child. [23]

Pool appeared in a question of a 2018 episode of Jeopardy! . [24]

Related Research Articles

Sam Olajubutu is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Battle</span> American football player (born 1993)

Isaiah Battle is an American football offensive tackle for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL supplemental draft after playing college football at Clemson.

Roderick L. "Toby" Johnson Jr. is an American football defensive tackle for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at the University of Georgia after two years at Hutchinson Community College and was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent after the 2015 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marked the Crimson Tide's 124th overall season, 85th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 27th within the SEC Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and were led by twelfth-year head coach Nick Saban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Arkansas Razorbacks football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played their home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with one home game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Arkansas played as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Razorbacks were led by first-year head coach Chad Morris. They finished the season 2–10, 0–8 in SEC play to finish in last place in the Western Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Ginda</span> American football player (born 1997)

Frank Ginda is an American football linebacker for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at San Jose State.

Christian C. Sam is an American football linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Arizona State, in 2017 leading the Pac-12 with 127 tackles, while also leading the Pac-12 with 87 solo tackles. He has been a member of the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Bandits, New Orleans Breakers, and Arlington Renegades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Iyiegbuniwe</span> American football player (born 1995)

Joel Iyiegbuniwe is an American football linebacker for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Western Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blaine Knight</span> Baseball player

Blaine Anthony Knight is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the third round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.

DeMarquis Larenz Gates is an American football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Gavin Heslop is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. Heslop played college football at Stony Brook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Arkansas Razorbacks football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Razorbacks played their home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Arkansas competed as a member of the West Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and were led by second-year head coach Sam Pittman.

Grant Morgan is an American football coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Originally a preferred walk-on with the team, he was placed on full scholarship in August 2018. He has since been named to multiple All-America and All-SEC teams, and has served as a team captain for the Razorbacks in 2020 and 2021. He has twice been named a Burlsworth Trophy finalist, and signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar in August 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Southeastern Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2022 Southeastern Conference football season is the 90th season of Southeastern Conference (SEC) football, taking place during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season began on August 27, 2022 and ended with the 2022 SEC Championship Game on December 3, 2022. The SEC is a Power Five conference as part of the College Football Playoff system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marked the Crimson Tide's 128th overall season, 89th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 31st within the SEC Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by 16th-year head coach Nick Saban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Allen (American football)</span> American football player (born 1998)

Christopher Allen is an American football linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Sanders</span> American football player (born 2000)

Drew Sanders is an American football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he was a member of the team that won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, before transferring to Arkansas in 2022. Sanders was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Mikel Anthony Jones is an American football linebacker for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Syracuse.

Matt Landers is an American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia, Toledo, and Arkansas.

Ty'Ron Hopper is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played for the Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers and was selected by the Packers in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ Walker, Rhiannon (October 12, 2015). "Defensive player of the week (10/12): Lovejoy's Bumper Pool". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Arkansas commit Bumper Pool is the clubhouse leader for best name in the football class of 2018". USA TODAY High School Sports. March 7, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Rivals.com – 2018 4-Star Bumper Pool makes commitment to Arkansas". n.rivals.com. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Arkansas football: Yes, the name is awesome. But LB Bumper Pool can play, too". Saturday Down South. September 5, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  5. ↑ "How Arkansas' true freshmen fared in 2018". HawgSports.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Bumper Pool Feels Arkansas Taking Advantage of Virtual Meetings, Time Learning Defense". KARK. April 27, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  7. ↑ "2020 SEC Football Awards, All-SEC Team Announced". www.secsports.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  8. ↑ Kelly, Nick. "Why Arkansas' Bumper Pool is Alabama football's most interesting opponent for Week 11". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Bumper Pool listed on Butkus Award Watchlist". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Bumper Pool to return to Arkansas for 2022 season". 5newsonline.com. January 7, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Pool Named to Butkus Award Watch List". 5newsonline.com. July 25, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Four Hogs Tabbed to Preseason All-SEC Team; Razorbacks Picked to Finish Third in West". Arkansas Razorbacks. July 22, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Phil Steele releases 2022 preseason All-American defensive teams". On3. June 16, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  14. ↑ "College football's top 100 players for 2022: Will Anderson Jr., Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and more". ESPN.com. August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Six Hogs Named to Coaches All-SEC Team". Arkansas Razorbacks. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Bumper Pool sets all-time Arkansas tackles record". thv11.com. October 8, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  17. ↑ Gantt, Darin (April 29, 2023). "Panthers agree to terms with undrafted rookies". Panthers.com.
  18. ↑ Gantt, Darin (August 26, 2023). "Panthers waive 11 players Saturday". Panthers.com.
  19. ↑ Editor, UFLBoard (May 23, 2024). "UFL Player Transactions, May 22, 2024". UFLBoard.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  20. ↑ Sayles, Damon. "The Best Name in College Football Recruiting: Meet 2018 LB Bumper Pool". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  21. ↑ Holt, Bob (July 15, 2018). "The Story behind Bumper". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette .
  22. ↑ Kaye, Mike. "How a Panthers rookie got his unusual name and became Arkansas Razorbacks' top tackler".
  23. ↑ Bicks, Emily (September 28, 2019). "Is Bumper Pool the Arkansas Razorbacks LB Real Name?". Heavy.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  24. ↑ "WATCH: Arkansas freshman LB Bumper Pool appears in answer on 'Jeopardy'". Saturday Down South. November 6, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.