Arkansas linebacker Bumper Pool on Wednesday said he is close to making a decision on whether or not he will return to the Razorbacks for the 2022 season.
In an interview with KABZ-FM 103.7, Pool stated an announcement will come at the end of the week.
“I’d been really not trying to think about it with the bowl game coming up," he added. "Just kind of enjoying my last moments with the guys that were there. This is one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make — not that I’ve had to make a lot of tough decisions — but I’m going to take the next couple of days. I kind of set a deadline for Friday.
“Whatever happens between then and there, I want to make a decision Friday, come out with it and be 100% on board with it and live with it.”
A fourth-year senior, Pool led the Razorbacks last season with 125 tackles, which tied for the 10th most nationally.
He finished with 10-plus tackle in seven games and had a season-high 14 in the season opener against Rice. Pool also had 10 tackles against Texas despite missing the first half because of a targeting penalty against the Owls.
Following Arkansas’ 24-10 victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said he was holding out hope that Pool would return to the program for one more season.
“I’m not giving up on Bumper,” he added with a smile. “Need some help there, leader. I'm not giving up on Bump now. I want him back.”