Chances are, many Chicago Bears fans never had heard of Ruben Hyppolite II.
When the Bears drafted Hyppolite at No. 132 in the fourth round in April, his name was relatively unknown. The Maryland linebacker wasn’t among the 329 players invited to the NFL scouting combine in February.
But his name certainly was one Bears coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles were interested in.
Here’s what Bears fans need to know about Hyppolite before rookies report for training camp July 19.
SPORTS-CHICAGO-BEARS-ROOKIE-OUTLOOK-CAN-1-TB.jpg
Bears linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II answers questions during a news conference after practice at Halas Hall on June 10. Eileen T. Meslar, Chicago Tribune/TNS
How did he get here?
After not receiving an invitation to the combine, Hyppolite’s pro day at Maryland took on all the more importance. The 5-foot-11, 236-pound linebacker was clocked at 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash on March 28. That caught the attention of NFL talent evaluators. Among off-ball linebackers, Hyppolite’s time would’ve been the fastest at the combine if he’d been invited.
People are also reading…
That set off a mad dash for Hyppolite, who visited with a number of teams suddenly interested at a pretty late stage in the process. He said he took 15 flights in two weeks to make all of those meetings. One visit was to Halas Hall. His speed is exactly what new Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is looking for at linebacker.
“(Hyppolite’s) a guy that is extremely smart, tough,” Poles said on draft day. “And one thing talking with (Allen) is we want to continue to add our team speed — and he can fly.”
Where did he come from?
Hyppolite grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and played at McArthur High School in nearby Hollywood. He became a top recruit as an outside linebacker and chose to attend Maryland over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Florida State, among others.
Hyppolite appeared in 51 games for the Terrapins, and as a senior in 2024, he totaled 66 tackles, 6½ tackles for a loss, one interception and three passes defended. The numbers don’t pop off the page, but he was a steady contributor over five seasons and emerged as a team captain late in his career.
Not only did Hyppolite not receive an invite to the combine, but the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl also passed on him. The Hula Bowl was his only all-star game invitation.
“For anyone who’s out there who thinks that they need things like the combine, an invite to the Senior Bowl, who thinks that they need that to get drafted — you don’t,” Hyppolite said. “You’ve just got to put your best foot forward. You’ve got to run fast and be your best self every day. I feel like I’m showing that.”
Bears Rookie Camp Football
Chicago Bears linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II warms up with teammates during the NFL football team's rookie camp on May 10 in Lake Forest, Ill. Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press
Why did the Bears draft him?
Speed, obviously, is a huge part of it. Allen’s defenses prioritize speedy linebackers. Hyppolite fits that bill.
The Bears parted ways with linebacker Jack Sanborn during free agency. The Lake Zurich native followed Matt Eberflus to the Dallas Cowboys. Sanborn is a smart player and a reliable tackler, but the move was a clear indication that speed is a bigger priority under the new coaching staff.
Veterans T.J. Edwards — who received a contract extension in April — and Tremaine Edmunds will remain the primary starters at linebacker. But finding a speedy third linebacker became a priority entering draft weekend.
“We need to increase our team speed and athleticism,” Allen said before the draft. “We’ve got good size, but I think we can get a little bit more athletic and play the game at a little bit higher speed.”
What his coaches said
As the Bears wrapped up mandatory minicamp in June, Johnson was asked which players stood out over the three-day camp. He highlighted four players — and one of them was Hyppolite.
Johnson commended Hyppolite’s willingness to learn, even if he was swimming in the deep end, so to speak, as he learned the defensive scheme.
“There’s a lot of moving parts there at linebacker play,” Johnson said. “They’re keying and diagnosing a few different details, and with (Allen’s) scheme, the match mentality that we like to play a lot of our coverages with, things change quickly.
“He’s done a great job adjusting to that speed as we’ve gone through, and that’s going to have to show up once we do get the pads on. But he’s been improving every single day and we’re hoping that course continues.”
What he said
There’s no question Hyppolite has speed. The rookie has to learn how to use it properly within Allen’s scheme.
Hyppolite spent time learning various linebacker spots this spring. Edwards missed portions of the spring with an injury, which allowed Hyppolite to work with the first-team defense in place of the veteran.
“It’s all about just understanding the tempo and understanding how to use (my speed) and when to use it, when to not,” Hyppolite said during the final week of organized team activities. “So I’ve been able to gauge that over these six, seven weeks we’ve been here. It’s been a great adjustment period for me. Now it’s time to go full speed.”
What he needs to prove during training camp
Learning the playbook quickly will be a big factor in whether Hyppolite plays much as a rookie. As things stand, Hyppolite and third-year pro Noah Sewell are likely to be battling for the third linebacker job.
Like most NFL teams these days, the Bears spend the majority of the time with five defensive backs and only two linebackers on the field. But that third linebacker spot can be crucial against certain looks from the offense. That job previously belonged to Sanborn. Sewell has appeared in 22 games over his first two seasons but primarily on special teams.
If Hyppolite can harness his speed and come to understand instinctively what his defensive coordinator expects of him, he could find himself on the field as a rookie.
31 historical photos of the Chicago Bears
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-77-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-77-TB.jpg
Bill Wade played in 59 games for the Bears from 1961 to 1966. Ray Gora
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-76-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-76-TB.jpg
Ed Brown played in 98 games for the Bears from 1954 to 1961. Chicago Tribune historical photo
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-75-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-75-TB.jpg
Zeke Bratkowski played in 59 games for the Bears from 1954 to 1960. Chicago Tribune historical photo
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-74-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-74-TB.jpg
George Blanda, center, played in 115 games for the Bears as a kicker-quarterback from 1949 to 1958. Chicago Tribune historical photo
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-73-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-73-TB.jpg
Wille Thrower played in one game during the Bears' 1953 season. Chicago Tribune historical photo
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-72-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-72-TB.jpg
Steve Romanik, shown here in 1951, right, played in 24 games for Bears from 1950 to 1953. Ray Gora
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-71-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-71-TB.jpg
Johnny Lujack played in 45 games for Bears as a kicker-quarterback from 1948 to 1951. Chicago Tribune historical photo
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-70-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-70-TB.jpg
Nick Sacrinty, left, played in 11 games during the Bears' 1947 season. Chicago Tribune
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-100-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-100-TB.jpg
Henry Burris played in six games during the Bears' 2002 season. JOHN SMIERCIAK
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-99-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-99-TB.jpg
Jim Miller played in 32 games for the Bears from 1999 to 2002. JOSé M. OSORIO
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-98-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-98-TB.jpg
Shane Matthews played in 20 games for the Bears from 1996 to 2001. JAMES PRISCHING
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-97-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-97-TB.jpg
Mark Hartsell played in one game during the Bears' 2000 season. John Smierciak
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-96-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-96-TB.jpg
Cade McNown played in 25 games for the Bears from 1999 to 2000. NUCCIO DINUZZO
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-95-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-95-TB.jpg
Moses Moreno played in two games during the Bears' 1998 season. JAMES PRISCHING
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-94-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-94-TB.jpg
Steve Stenstrom played in 11 games for the Bears from 1996 to 1998. TODD PANAGOPOULOS
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-93-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-93-TB.jpg
Erik Kramer played in 49 games for the Bears from 1994 to 1998. JOHN SMIERCIAK
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-91-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-91-TB.jpg
Steve Walsh played in 13 games for the Bears from 1994 to 1995. Chicago Tribune
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-92-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-92-TB.jpg
Rick Mirer played in seven games during the Bears' 1997 season. NUCCIO DINUZZO
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-90-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-90-TB.jpg
Jim Harbaugh played in 89 games for the Bears from 1987 to 1993. Nancy Stone
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-89-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-89-TB.jpg
Peter Tom Willis played in 21 games for the Bears from 1990 to 1993. Jim Prisching
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-88-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-88-TB.jpg
Will Furrer played in two games during the Bears' 1992 season. James Prisching
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-87-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-87-TB.jpg
Mike Tomczak played in 77 games for the Bears from 1985 to 1990. Chicago Tribune
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-86-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-86-TB.jpg
Mike Hohensee played in two games during the Bears' 1987 season. BILL HOGAN
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-85-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-85-TB.jpg
Steve Fuller played in 38 games for the Bears from 1984 to 1986. ED WAGNER JR
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-84-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-84-TB.jpg
Rusty Lisch played in seven games during the Bears' 1984 season. Chicago Tribune
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-83-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-83-TB.jpg
Bob Avellini played in 73 games for the Bears from 1975 to 1984. Chicago Tribune
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-82-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-82-TB.jpg
Vince Evans played in 56 games for the Bears from 1977 to 1983. Phil Mascione
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-81-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-81-TB.jpg
Mike Phipps played in 31 games for the Bears from 1977 to 1981. Ed Wagner Jr
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-80-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-80-TB.jpg
Gary Huff played in 43 games for the Bears from 1973 to 1976. Ed Wagner Jr
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-79-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-79-TB.jpg
Joe Barnes played in three games during the Bears' 1974 season. Ray Gora
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-78-TB.jpg
20210729-AMX-SPORTS-WHAT-WE-LEARNED-AT-CHICAGO-78-TB.jpg
Jack Concannon played in 51 games for the Bears from 1967 to 1971. Ed Wagner Jr
0 Comments
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!