James Pearce Jr 2025 NFL Draft

James Pearce Jr 2025 NFL Draft

We’re rolling right along here with the 2025 NFL Draft profile series, and James Pearce Jr goes under the microscope next. Is the Tennessee product worth the hype? Let’s not waste any more unnecessary time so get right to it.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 2, Week 7, Week 8, Week 12, Week 14, College Football Playoff First Round

Pearce, 21, was a four star prospect coming out of high school, hailing from the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Pearce was the 18th ranked edge defender in the 2022 cycle and has since more than proved he belongs. The Tennessee edge rusher was a rotational piece right away as a freshman but really burst onto the scene as as sophomore/junior. Over the last two years, Pearce posted 17 sacks for the Vols.

I watched a lot of Tennessee this past year, if you can tell from the Stock Report notes at the top. I think the hype is absolutely warranted. This was a really good college football player who lined up all over the place. His 43 QB hurries this past year was the top mark in the SEC. He’s not a slug either if you ask him to play as a space linebacker, too.

This dude absolutely lit it up at the Combine. So much so that I think he was one of the biggest winners at the event and the most impressive edge rusher to compete. The first step quickness is just ridiculous. It’s one thing to run a 4.47 while checking in at 6-foot-5, 245. It’s another thing to be a lightning rod off the line and post a 1.56 ten-yard time.

We’re talking about a guy who was a First-team All-SEC selection each of the past two years. Add in 27.5 TFLS over that time period too. He’s a real twitched up athlete who despite being tall never looks out of place. No question he could use more of a power element in his game but the upside is undeniable.

Pearce has a lot of tools. Can win with speed around the edge. Has a nice bull move. Has fairly decent length. Not a beefy monster in the run game but he’s sneaky good dropping into coverage.

Abdul Carter 2025 NFL Draft Profile

I think James Pearce is a bonafide first round player and has all the makings to project forward as a talented defensive chess piece for years to come. I really like this player, and you should too.

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