With the No. 132 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II.
One of three defensive players the Bears selected in the draft, Hyppolite spoke with reporters after hearing his name called. Naturally, he was excited that his journey brought him to Chicago and the Bears. Asked to summarize his emotions, Hyppolite obliged.
Ruban Hyppolite II Eyeing Bears Super Bowl Berth After Draft
Bears Add Speedster in LB Ruben Hyppolite II
“It feels great. I took a visit to Chicago, it was a great visit with everybody there. I love the staff there, and it was just great. They show a lot of great hospitality, and just being at Chicago felt like home for me. So just getting that call was great,” Hyppolite told Clocker Sports on Saturday.
“I don’t know what to expect. I just – I know I put my best foot forward, and I just appreciate everybody in that building for believing in me. And I’m going to do my best to bring the Super Bowl to Chicago and help out in that regard.”
Checking in at 5-foot-11 and 239 pounds, Hyppolite is undersized for the position.
However, in addition to having several similarly built players succeeding at the NFL level as reference, Hyppolite also possesses good speed, allowing him to cover plenty of ground. He recorded a 4.39 40-yard dash time at his pro day, a mark that would have led the linebacker position at the 2025 NFL Combine. That is, the league invited him and he attended.
What the Draft Experts Say About Ruben Hyppolite II
“Hyppolite led Maryland with 66 tackles last season. He ran well at his pro day, and that speed shows up on tape,” ESPN’s Steve Muench wrote before the draft. “He can shoot gaps and meet running backs in the backfield when he plays downhill between the tackles. Hyppolite chases with good effort and makes plays in pursuit. He also closes well, breaking on passes in coverage.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Hyppolite as LB35 and outside of his top 100 prospects, projecting him to go undrafted.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein points to Hyppolite’s lack of production despite his experience at the collegiate level. However, Zierlein also noted that Hyppolite’s speed is what makes him a worthwhile flier.
“The more one watches, the more one realizes he plays with natural instincts to sniff out and pursue the play. It appears his lack of take-on technique and tackle consistency will be his biggest hindrances at the next level,” Zierlein wrote pre-draft. “A move to Will linebacker could free him from some of the physical rigors inside and allow him to highlight his pursuit speed.”
A role on special teams and learning behind T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds likely awaits.