This article is part of a series previewing the Razorbacks’ 2020 football roster.
College Students, get a year of HawgBeat coverage for just $11.95. Request details via email from your school account (.edu) to nchavanelle@yahoo.com.
Razorback Career
Carrying 4-star status into Arkansas, Bumper Pool was expected to play early in his career and he did. In 10 games, the Texas native played 340 total snaps, including special teams. Pool found his role filling in for senior outside linebacker and current San Francisco 49ers player Dre Greenlaw. He started his career off with a bang on special teams, blocking a field goal in the win against Eastern Illinois, and returning a fumble for an eventual Arkansas field goal. He racked up 29 total tackles, 14 solo, with 2.5 tackles for loss and broke up four passes as well in his first season.
Pool didn't play many snaps against Alabama, LSU or Auburn but still showed signs of youth and inexperience against the other SEC opponents, posting ProFootballFocus grades in the 50s. Overall, Pool finished his freshman season with a 63.5 on defense.
As Pool's snaps more than doubled in his sophomore year, taking over the starting role at outside linebacker, his PFF grades dwindled. He finished second on the team in tackles with 94, but posted scores below 65 against every SEC opponent. His worst grade was against Texas A&M, his best was against Ole Miss. Pool's sophomore season ended with 38 solo stops, 6.5 for loss with half-a-sack, with five pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
Pool's struggles weren't unlike most of his defensive teammates in 2019 under John Chavis. The defense ranked 124th in the nation.
2020 Expectations
Expectations are very high for Bumper Pool heading in to his junior season and the defense needs him to live up to them. Depth is and has been an issue for the Razorbacks, so Pool will once again play a ton of snaps. While there's not much certainty on who will fill Scoota Harris's role at middle linebacker, Pool's essentially got his spot locked up even if his PFF grades could've been better over the past two years. He had an off-season procedure on his back that would've had him limited in spring football-- had there been spring football--but he's now fully healthy.
Under Barry Odom and Rion Rhoades' guidance, Pool could begin to live up to his full potential. Based on his experience and attitude, he will undoubtedly be looked at as one of the defensive leaders by coaches, teammates and fans.
Recruiting Flashback
It's not often that you find a third generation Razorback who also happens to be a 4-star linebacker living an hour and a half away from the Arkansas border, but Bret Bielema found that when he and his staff offered Bumper Pool. Pool grew up dreaming of becoming a Razorback and pulled the trigger early after his junior season. He chose the Razorbacks over offers from Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, TCU, USC, Michigan, Oklahoma State and others.
