James Pearce Jr. is one of the Tennessee defenders that has created the most excitement in recent years. Pearce, who is ranked No. 2 in CBS Sports’ 2024 College Football Top 100, is being discussed as a possible No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, only surpassed by Colorado star Travis Hunter.
According to Pro Football Focus, he recorded 10 sacks last season—tied for the most in the conference—28 tackles, half of which were for a loss, and 52 quarterback pressures, earning him a spot on the All-SEC First Team. With a pick-six in the Volunteers’ Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa, he concluded the year.
The coaching staff at Tennessee will tell you that Pearce has a lot more potential. That is a very scary idea.
This spring, defensive coordinator Tim Banks stated of Pearce, “We think the sky’s the limit for him.” He was clearly only a sophomore. I believe he is only beginning to realize his full potential. He is incredibly adaptable. James, I believe, would be the first to admit that he has a lot of space for growth. The good news is that he is now making a lot of effort to advance.”
Being selected number one is an exclusive status at Tennessee. In its short history, the program has produced just two quarterbacks. The final one? In the 1998 NFL Draft, Peyton Manning was the first player selected by the Indianapolis Colts. Since 2017, when Derek Barnett, the Vols’ career sack record-holder, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 14 overall pick, Tennessee has not even had a defensive player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
However, Pearce has the potential to be even better than he is. Before hearing his name called in April of next year, the 6-foot-5 EDGE still has a whole football season to play and a ways to go. However, the journey isn’t that far.
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