Bumper_Pool_(American_football)

Bumper Pool (American football)

Bumper Pool (American football)

American football player (born 1999)

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.

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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

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]

Personal life

When Pool was 16, he legally changed his name to Bumper James Morris Pool.[19][20][21] The name Bumper originated from his father's love for bumper pool as a child.[22]

Pool appeared in a question of a 2018 episode of Jeopardy!.[23]

References

  1. [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. [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. [3]
    "Rivals.com – 2018 4-Star Bumper Pool makes commitment to Arkansas". n.rivals.com. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  4. [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. [5]
    "How Arkansas' true freshmen fared in 2018". HawgSports.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Bumper Pool Feels Arkansas Taking Advantage of Virtual Meetings, Time Learning Defense". KARK. April 27, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  7. [7]
    "2020 SEC Football Awards, All-SEC Team Announced". www.secsports.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  8. [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. [9]
    "Bumper Pool listed on Butkus Award Watchlist". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  10. [10]
    "Bumper Pool to return to Arkansas for 2022 season". 5newsonline.com. January 7, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  11. [11]
    "Pool Named to Butkus Award Watch List". 5newsonline.com. July 25, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  12. [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. [13]
    "Phil Steele releases 2022 preseason All-American defensive teams". On3. June 16, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  14. [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. [15]
    "Six Hogs Named to Coaches All-SEC Team". Arkansas Razorbacks. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  16. [16]
    "Bumper Pool sets all-time Arkansas tackles record". thv11.com. October 8, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  17. [17]
    Gantt, Darin (April 29, 2023). "Panthers agree to terms with undrafted rookies". Panthers.com.
  18. [18]
    Gantt, Darin (August 26, 2023). "Panthers waive 11 players Saturday". Panthers.com.
  19. [19]
    Sayles, Damon. "The Best Name in College Football Recruiting: Meet 2018 LB Bumper Pool". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  20. [20]
    Holt, Bob (July 15, 2018). "The Story behind Bumper". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  21. [21]
    Kaye, Mike. "How a Panthers rookie got his unusual name and became Arkansas Razorbacks' top tackler".
  22. [22]
    Bicks, Emily (September 28, 2019). "Is Bumper Pool the Arkansas Razorbacks LB Real Name?". Heavy.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  23. [23]
    "WATCH: Arkansas freshman LB Bumper Pool appears in answer on 'Jeopardy'". Saturday Down South. November 6, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
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