Bumper Pool Talks First Practice Of 2021 Fall Camp

It was a hot day in The Ozarks today as the Arkansas Razorback football team began their first day of team practice on Friday.

KJ Jefferson, Bumper Pool and head coach Sam Pittman were available to the media to give their initial thoughts on the first practice.

“Today was a great start to camp even though it was in the heat of the day,” said Pool. “We have to get used to it as we usually practiced in the morning in previous years. Our first couple of games are at 1 PM and 6 PM to start the year.”

When you start practicing in the summer it is always about the mindset and leadership by your upperclassmen. How will they respond to the hot weather? Will they be ready to not only be the vocal leaders but physical leaders of the older guys?

“Everyone meant business today,” answered Pool. “We have great leadership with Grant and Hayden coming back. We are excited for the development of our younger guys, too.”

Pool was injured during the season playing with broken ribs. He played most of the year at around 220 pounds but said he met with Jamil Walker the head strength and conditioning coach to discuss a plan to be bulkier. Pool says he is up to 232 pounds and plans to say there.

He mentioned that he did intercept a pass during the pad-less practice today. After a little interrogation he said that he picked off Malik Hornsby.

Ending his portion of the press conference, Pool was asked about the feeling in year two under Coach Pittman and to no ones surprise it is positive.

“(Pittman) does a fantastic job of getting us and his coaches in line with what he wants. The coaches blend well and share the same vision for the program,” said Pool.

Coach Pittman seems to be the same guy in front of a camera and in person as he is with his players. That transparency lacked during the two dreadful years under the previous regime and is still a breath of fresh air for everyone around the state of Arkansas.

“It comes down to Pittman being a good guy,” said Pool. “Coach Pittman wants to be a great head coach for his assistants. We all want to win just as much as he does.”

Jacob is the managing editor for Arkansas Fight and provides coverage for all Razorback sports. Give him a follow @jacobscottdavis on Twitter.