The Chicago Bears made some waves during the 2025 NFL draft, not only by their selections of offensive weapons Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, but their fourth-round pick of linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II turned some heads, as well.
While Hyppolite was not expected to go that high in the draft, the Bears had a need after losing Jack Sanborn, and the belief with new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen running the defense is Hyppolite could be a valuable addition.
Over his final two seasons at Maryland, Hyppolite totaled 132 tackles, three passes defended, one sack, and one interception, showing he has a knack to find the football. Shortly after he was drafted, Hyppolite said the team told him they feel he can fit anywhere. But after seeing the draft board play out, he felt he had done enough to find himself selected at the same time others at his position were being taken.
“Fourth round came around and I saw a couple guys going off the board, and I kind of knew I was going to put myself in play,” Hyppolite told the CHGO Bears Podcast. “I knew I handled my business in the draft interviews and my pro day, so I was going to be in play to go in the round, it was just a matter of when and where. I started seeing the run happen and I got that call from Chicago, which was one of my best visits I took, and we’re here now by the grace of God.”
Hyppolite joins a linebackers group led by veterans T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, and with the departure of Sanborn, there’s a chance he can earn playing time as a rookie. His biggest competition is likely to come from Noah Sewell and Amen Ogbongbemiga, both of whom have yet to truly earn a full time role on the defense. So it should be one of the most interesting competitions happening during training camp.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram