The Michigan Panthers signed linebacker Bumper Pool, re-signed defensive end Mika Tafua, and placed linebacker Levi Bell on the injured reserve list on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Bumper Pool is six foot two and weighs 232 pounds. The 24-year-old from Lucas, Texas, signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2023. In 2023, Pool made 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 assists) in three preseason games before he was released on August 26, 2023.
Collegiately, Pool played five seasons at Arkansas (2018-22) making 441 tackles (174 solo, 267 assists), 27.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and 19 pass breakups in 55 games for the Razorbacks. He was named a three-time Second Team All-SEC (2020-22), and First Team All-SEC in 2021 by Phil Steele.
Mika Tafua is six foot three and weighs 250 pounds. The 27-year-old from Laie, Hawaii, made 10 tackles (8 solo, 2 assists) in seven games for the Michigan Panthers in 2024. The Panthers released Tafua on May 15, 2024.
Before Michigan, Tafua signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022. In 2022, Tafua made three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist), one sack, one quarterback hit, and one pass breakup in three preseason games. After Dallas, Tafua spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.
Collegiately Tafua played four seasons at Utah (2018-21) making 133 tackles (73 solo, 60 assists), 32 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in 44 games for the Utes. He was named He was named First Team All-PAC 12 in 2021.
Levi Bell is six foot one and weighs 275 pounds. The 24-year-old from Cedar Park, Texas, signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. Next, the Michigan Panthers drafted Bell in the sixth round (40th pick) in the 2023 USFL Draft. In 2023, Bell made 17 tackles (7 solo, 10 assists), four tackles for loss, and four sacks in six games for the Panthers.
In the playoffs, Bell made seven tackles (1 solo, 6 assists), and one tackle for loss against the Pittsburgh Maulers. After the season, Bell signed with the Seattle Seahawks and spent most of the season on the practice squad. The Michigan Panthers signed Bell on May 15, 2024.
Collegiately, Bell played one season at the College of Idaho in 2018 making 17 tackles (5 solo, 12 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick, and one punt return for no yards in seven games for the Wolves.
Next, Bell transferred to Tyler Junior College in 2019 making 41 tackles (35 solo, 6 assists), three sacks, and one fumble recovery in nine games for the Apache. Then, Bell transferred to Louisiana Tech (2020-21) making 27 tackles (14 solo, 13 assists), 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 13 games for the Bulldogs.
Finally, Bell concluded his collegiate career at Texas State in 2022 making 66 tackles (26 solo, 40 assists), 13.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 12 games for the Bobcats. He was named Second Team All-SBC, First Team All-SBC by PFF, and Third Team All-American by PFF.
