How a Panthers rookie got his unusual name and became Arkansas Razorbacks’ top tackler
If a Panthers fan Google searched “Bumper Pool” during a random afternoon, they would probably be in for a crash course on either the player or a billiard game.
While Carolina has an undrafted rookie on its roster with the legal name, Bumper Pool, he’s actually named after the cue sport that has distinct features and rules compared to regular pool.
“That’s originally, I think, what my dad had in mind — he played a bunch back in the day,” Pool told The Observer last week. “And (he) just always said, ‘My first son is going to be named Bumper Pool.’ ”
Pool’s original legal name was James Morris Pool. But when he turned 16, the Lucas, Texas, teenager decided to turn his lifelong nickname into his actual first name.
“My name has always been Bumper, but whenever I got my driver’s license and kind of started to get legal documents, (his parents) said at that point, if I wanted to make it official that I could,” Pool said. “Whenever I got my license, we just went ahead and added Bumper to my name. My official name is Bumper James Morris Pool. Now I just have two middle names.”
Pool was a standout linebacker at Lovejoy High School. He received scholarship offers from LSU, Alabama and Michigan, but chose Arkansas because of his family’s legacy at the school.
“My family all went to Arkansas,” Pool said. “So it’s kind of been something like a family tradition that we would go up there all the time growing up as kids, and I grew up loving the Razorbacks.”
During his five-year career at Arkansas, Pool collected 441 combined tackles, setting a program record. That total bested former Miami Dolphins linebacker Tony Bua’s mark of 408 career tackles set in 2003.
“For me to be able to play there, have some success and become the all-time tackler, it really was special just because I put a lot of work into it, put a lot of time,” Pool said.
Pool missed the final two games of his college career after undergoing hip surgery. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker was a long shot to be drafted because he couldn’t be involved in much of the scouting process beyond team interviews and his college film.
But Pool had a visit with the Panthers in March and hit it off with Carolina linebackers coach Peter Hansen. Pool immediately thought Carolina could be a good fit for him.
“I knew I had hip surgery, so I wasn’t necessarily worried about when I was going to get drafted,” Pool said. “I just wanted to be able to go to the best place for me, and I took a visit to Carolina. I loved it, and I was just so happy that it worked out how it did.”
Pool has spent most of the offseason working his way back from injury. He was able to take part in the Panthers’ three-day rookie minicamp this past weekend and is happy to put the injury behind him.
“To be honest with you, the rehab process has been great,” Pool said. “Playing injured was the hard part — not being able to put your best foot forward when you’re playing just because you’re dealing with pain. That’s the part that’s not fun. . . . You always have your days in rehab. But for me I just have such a positive outlook on it because I did what I did in Arkansas — and was proud of it. And now it’s just such a good opportunity for me to continue to play, so every day I don’t take it for granted.”
Pool will compete to earn a job on the 53-man roster this summer. He enters an inside linebacker depth chart with plenty of opportunity for ascension. Although longtime leader, Shaq Thompson, and last year’s breakout defender, Frank Luvu, are expected to start at inside linebacker, Pool can earn a job by outperforming the rest of the depth chart on special teams and in sub-packages.
Pool’s main competition will be last year’s fourth-round pick, Brandon Smith, and free-agent addition, Kamu Grugier-Hill. Pool — who had 21 games with 10 or more tackles — will need to show off his consistent tackling skills throughout the summer and the preseason to stand out among the pack.
No matter his spot on the depth chart, Pool just wants the opportunity to contribute.
“I’m good with whatever,” Pool said. “I know that this game is changing, and honestly the way that I play, I like to run sideline to sideline to make plays. So wherever they want to put me, I feel like I’m going to be ready, especially, post-surgery.”
And as Pool looks to earn his first NFL job, he will surely see his name pop up on social media. With a name like Bumper Pool, the pun potential seems endless — especially when he makes “splash” plays.
“Social media these days — anybody can say anything they want,” Pool said. “Yeah, it’s cool. Some things are funny, but I don’t really pay too much attention to it just because, you could search anybody’s name and find something about them if they’re doing anything worth writing about.”
