Arkansas linebacker Bumper Pool raves about Drew Sanders

Arkansas Razorbacks senior starting linebacker Bumper Pool raved about newcomer Drew Sanders after the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday. The former Alabama linebacker had three sacks, which Pool believes is the result of Sanders’ heavy load for the defense.

“What we’re asking of Drew, we’re not asking a lot of other guys to do,” Pool said. “He’s going down and rushing the passer off the edge, then also coming back with me and playing a stand-up linebacker. So, his skillset is so versatile that whenever he makes a mistake doing something, he gets, not down on himself, but he wants to be a perfectionist.

“Just continuing to tell him, ‘Hey, listen, man, you’re doing so many good things that you don’t need to get down on yourself…’ He’s picking it up so well. I mean, he’s had like seven practices in the fall and every single day, he’s continued to get better. Just seeing his development, I’m excited for everyone to see it.”

Razorbacks counting on productive year from transfer Drew Sanders

The Razorbacks are going to need that versatility from Drew Sanders after losing two of the top three linebackers from last season to graduation. Pool led the team in 2021 with 125 tackles, including 80 assisted.

Head coach Sam Pittman also praised Sanders on Saturday. The Hogs were down All-SEC safety Jalen Catalon due to family issues and the linebacker stepped up.

“We’re a little banged up in the secondary right now. Catalon had a family issue that he needed to go to. I don’t wanna make anything more out of that. It’s truly a family issue he had that he needed to get back home and I’d like to keep that between him and I,” Pittman said. “But overall, Drew Sanders made a lot of plays. Made a couple of sacks. He’s a good player.”

Last season during the Tide’s SEC championship run, the 6-foot-4 linebacker contributed 24 tackles (12 solo) with one sack.