NFL Draft Profile: Bumper Pool, Linebacker, Arkansas Razorbacks
Bumper Pool
Arkansas Razorbacks
#10
Pos: OLB
Ht: 6010
Wt: 229
40: 4.68
DOB: 9/18/1999
Hometown: Lucas, TX
High School: Lovejoy
Eligibility: Lovejoy
One-Liner:
A traditional stacked backer that can sniff out the run or be deployed as an off-ball Blitzer.
Evaluation:
Typical frame for a standup linebacker. Can side-step lineman with a strong dip and rip technique. Sniffs out screens appropriately and will make plays on the ball carrier. Show the propensity to diagnose, trigger and wrap up multiple times on film. Has shown he's capable of handling backs in man coverage when leaking into the flat or on rail routes, forcing pass breakups. Don't want him holding the edge. Too many open-field tackle misses. Seldom squares up and will overrun and allow cutbacks. Much of this is due to a lack of bend and fluidity required to quickly change direction. Labors when asked to open and run with sub-par burst. Sets himself up to be finished. Pool will find the ball and make plays as desired, but his inability to move efficiently is what limits his current projection. Suring up his health and testing well could change that, however.
Grade:
UDFA
Background:
Bumper Pool entered the 2022 season as a preseason All-American Second Team and First Team All-SEC. Back in 2021, Pool played in thirteen games with one start at linebacker and was the leader in tackles at one hundred and twenty-five tackles.Pool has been an outstanding student as well, where from 2018-2021, he was on the SEC All-Academic Honor Roll. Pool was a four-star recruit and the twelfth-best inside linebacker in the state of Texas. His family has a background in the Arkansas football program with his sister, Maddie, the Director of On-Campus Recruiting Operations.
