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.
 Pool with the Michigan Panthers in 2024 | |
| No. 47 – Michigan Panthers | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 28, 1999 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 | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
High school career
editPool 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
editIn 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
editCarolina Panthers
editPool 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]
Michigan Panthers
editOn May 22, 2024, Pool signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL).[19]
Personal life
editWhen 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]
References
edit- ^ Walker, Rhiannon (October 12, 2015). "Defensive player of the week (10/12): Lovejoy's Bumper Pool". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Rivals.com – 2018 4-Star Bumper Pool makes commitment to Arkansas". n.rivals.com. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ "Arkansas football: Yes, the name is awesome. But LB Bumper Pool can play, too". Saturday Down South. September 5, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- ^ "How Arkansas' true freshmen fared in 2018". HawgSports.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- ^ "Bumper Pool Feels Arkansas Taking Advantage of Virtual Meetings, Time Learning Defense". KARK. April 27, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "2020 SEC Football Awards, All-SEC Team Announced". www.secsports.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ Kelly, Nick. "Why Arkansas' Bumper Pool is Alabama football's most interesting opponent for Week 11". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Bumper Pool listed on Butkus Award Watchlist". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Bumper Pool to return to Arkansas for 2022 season". 5newsonline.com. January 7, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Pool Named to Butkus Award Watch List". 5newsonline.com. July 25, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Four Hogs Tabbed to Preseason All-SEC Team; Razorbacks Picked to Finish Third in West". Arkansas Razorbacks. July 22, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Phil Steele releases 2022 preseason All-American defensive teams". On3. June 16, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Six Hogs Named to Coaches All-SEC Team". Arkansas Razorbacks. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ "Bumper Pool sets all-time Arkansas tackles record". thv11.com. October 8, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (April 29, 2023). "Panthers agree to terms with undrafted rookies". Panthers.com.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (August 26, 2023). "Panthers waive 11 players Saturday". Panthers.com.
- ^ Editor, UFLBoard (May 23, 2024). "UFL Player Transactions, May 22, 2024". UFLBoard.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Sayles, Damon. "The Best Name in College Football Recruiting: Meet 2018 LB Bumper Pool". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- ^ Holt, Bob (July 15, 2018). "The Story behind Bumper". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
- ^ Kaye, Mike. "How a Panthers rookie got his unusual name and became Arkansas Razorbacks' top tackler".
- ^ Bicks, Emily (September 28, 2019). "Is Bumper Pool the Arkansas Razorbacks LB Real Name?". Heavy.com. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "WATCH: Arkansas freshman LB Bumper Pool appears in answer on 'Jeopardy'". Saturday Down South. November 6, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2022.