The Chicago Bears have gotten plenty of love for their 2025 NFL Draft class. However, one pick immediately stood out as a bit of a head scratcher by the Bears.
With the No. 132 overall pick in the fourth-round, Chicago selected Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II. He wasn’t on many draft boards before the event and he wasn’t invited to the combine. Overall, the NFL world agreed that Hyppolite was the team’s most shocking pick.
Still, the Bears must be high on him to spend a fourth-rounder. Hyppolite is at least excited to get to work and prove Chicago right. On Monday, he revealed exactly what he was thinking when he received his draft call from the Bears, via CHGO.
“Fourth round came around, I saw a couple guys go off the board. I kind of knew I was going to put myself in play. I knew I handled my business in the interviews and at my Pro Day, so I knew I was going to be in play to go, it was just a matter of when and where.”
“I started to see that run happen and got the call from Chicago. That was probably one of my best visits that I’ve taken. We’re here now, by the grace of God.”
What was Ruben Hyppolite thinking when the Bears gave him the call in the 4th round? 📲 pic.twitter.com/5p8Koq97NJ
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) May 5, 2025
Ruben Hyppolite II adds speed to Chicago Bears defense
While he may not have been on many analyst’s big boards, there’s a reason the Bears used a fourth-round pick on Hyppolite. His Pro Day showed a new side of the linebacker and potentially an attribute that not many at the position can match.
Hyppolite ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, unheard of for linebacker. Matching it with 18 reps on the bench press and a 9-foot-10 broad jump, he was able to show off his full arsenal of athleticism. Maryland’s Pro Day certainly caught the eye of general manager Ryan Poles and company, leading to Hyppolite’s selection.
Pro Day Highlights
ILB Ruben Hyppolite II @rubenknows1 @TerpsFootball pic.twitter.com/y6b47AbtzL
— Precision Sports (@PSportsMG) April 24, 2025
But athleticism is one thing, development is another. Chicago knew that Hyppolite wasn’t a finished project when they selected him. But as a fourth-round dart throw, the Bears decided to bet on the linebacker’s upside.
Hyppolite spent five years at Maryland, appearing in 50 games. He racked up 236 tackles, six passes defended, three sacks and an interception. While no single year stands out as a breakout, the linebacker showed continued growth with the Terrapins. As a senior, Hyppolite tied his career-high with 66 tackles and two passes defended. He set a new career-high with seven tackles for a loss, while his lone interception also came in 2024.
As Dennis Allen steps in as Chicago’s defensive coordinator, he is undoubtedly going to make some changes. Having a player like Hyppolite to mold will be crucial. Allen can’t teach him speed and versatility. But if the linebacker matches his athleticism with technique, the Bears could’ve found themselves a steal.
Until Hyppolite proves himself on the gridiron, the linebacker will continue to be a curious pick for Poles and the Bears. But new head coach Ben Johnson is looking for playmakers all over the field, even defense. Chicago is hopeful Hyppolite can use his physical traits to develop into a key defensive contributor.
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