When prospects tour the Arkansas campus, the Jerry and Gene Jones Family Student-Athlete Success Center usually impresses.
Highly regarded sophomore linebacker Bumper Pool and his parents visited Fayetteville last Saturday and the talented defender raved about the new facility.
“That was insane,” said Pool, who has a 3.86 grade point average. “The amount of help we get as athletes I think is great if we use it. It is tough to balance between school and sports and if they make it easier, then it makes it easer for athletes to do well. I think it’s a good thing. That is why we’re going to college.”
Pool, 6-2, 216 pounds of Lucas, (Texas) Lovejoy has a scholarship offer from Baylor while drawing interest from Arkansas, Tulsa, SMU and others. He was able to watch the Hogs practice.
“I thought it was intense, you can tell they push power,” Pool said. “They quarterbacks looked pretty good.”
He said the highlight of the trip was talking to linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves.
“We had a good conversation about the whole recruiting process and basically told me straight up what it’s all about and how to handle it,” Pool said. “So that was nice. I really haven’t been taught much how to handle certain situations and what’s best for me and all that.”
Pool, who recorded 148 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, a quarterback hurry, 6 pass breakups, 5 forced fumble and 2 recovered fumbles this past season, visited Fayetteville for the opening game against UTEP in September.
He said Hargreaves gave him sound advice.
“He was basically saying you have to go somewhere you feel the most comfortable,” Pool said. “Coaches change all over the country so you have to fall in love with the school and ultimately make a decision off that.”
Running backs coach Reggie Mitchell s Pool’s area recruiter.
“He seems like a great coach,” said Pool, who recently maxed out at 285 pounds in the power clean and 265 in the bench press. “I look forward to getting to know him.”
Pool’s family has strong ties to Arkansas. His father, Jeff attended Arkansas along with two aunts that now live in Conway. His sister is currently a student at the university.
An offer from the Hogs would be big for Pool.
“That would be awesome,” he said. “SEC, it would really be cool.”