![]() Pool with the Michigan Panthers in 2024 | |
Personal information | |
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Born: | Lucas, Texas, U.S. | September 28, 1999
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Weight: | 232 lb (105 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) |
College: | Arkansas (2018–2022) |
Position: | Linebacker |
Undrafted: | 2023 |
Career history | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Stats at Pro Football Reference |
Bumper James Morris Pool (born James Morris Pool; September 28, 1999) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Arkansas and he is the school's leader in all-time tackles with 441.
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]
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]
Pool was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. [17] He was waived by the Panthers on August 26. [18]
On May 22, 2024, Pool signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). [19]
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]
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