Sam Pittman has already identified a strong tandem at linebacker, and he’s excited for what’s next for Bumper Pool and Drew Sanders.

Sanders, the Alabama transfer, has impressed the Razorbacks through 7 spring practices. The Texas native last season for the Crimson Tide Sanders had 24 tackles (2.5 for a loss), 1 sack and 2 pass breakups for the Crimson Tide defense in 2021.

“I really like Drew, and it’s because of his athletic ability and he wants to get to the ball,” Pittman said, per Whole Hog Sports. “He reminds me a little bit of Bumper. I like those two guys playing side by side.”

Sanders was the first player Pittman mentioned as having a strong scrimmage on Saturday.

“(Drew is) instinctive,” Pittman said. “He can really run. I think he ran an 11-flat 100 meters at whatever (size) he’s at. He’s big. But he’s instinctive, he can run. He kind of fits us. He’s tough and smart.”

Sanders also has a believer in Bumper Pool, Arkansas’ leading tackler last season.

“He’s extremely talented,” Pool said. “He’s got a lot of intangibles and I think that he wants to be good and he works really hard. Whenever you put all those things together, you’re going to have a guy that’s going to be successful. We’ve got a lot of good talent in our room and just to have him come in and teach us little things he’s learned, it’s been good.”