James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Size:
Height: 6052
Weight: 245
Arm: 32 ¾”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-SEC (2023)
“James Pearce Jr. is an athletic, quick-accelerating edge rusher who can make game-changing plays sacking the quarterback.”
Strengths:
Quick first step
Fluid athlete/change of direction
Alignment-versatile and scheme-versatile
Playmaking ability
Concerns:
Set the edge against the run
Counter pass-rush moves
Impact as a run defender
Film Analysis:
James Pearce Jr. finished the 2023 season as one of the most productive edge rushers in the SEC with 9.5 sacks, earning an All-SEC bid. Pearce entered the 2024 season as one of the best edge rushers in college football. Pearce had a slight dip in production in 2024 with 7.5 sacks but appeared to be a more explosive athlete who in the offseason became bigger, stronger, and faster.
At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Pearce possesses a quick first step and is a fluid athlete. That serves him in a positive way as a pass rusher, as he is constantly threatening offensive linemen with his speed and athleticism. Pearce is utilized in multiple alignments, from being reduced inside to playing with his hand in the ground as an edge rusher, to being a stand-up edge rusher who can occasionally drop in coverage to give a different look to defenses. In specific situations, Pearce can also rush from an angle to give himself a two-way go and sell an outside rush angle then quickly cross the face of the offensive lineman and take the inside rush angle.
Pearce does a good job of putting offensive linemen in complex situations and having them make hesitant decisions because they are not completely sure which direction he is going to take—his speed forces them to make a decision. His repertoire of pass-rush moves directly correlates to speed rushes and his most utilized rush is a two-hand swipe to knock the initial punch of the offensive lineman down and then continue his path upfield. Pearce has threatening speed around the edges and if there is not an offensive tackle who can match his athleticism, he can make impactful game-changing plays. Pearce can also be utilized as a drop defender against the pass and can effectively cover the curl-to-flats area and break down and tackle ball-carriers in space.
The biggest improvement for Pearce as a prospect is his inconsistencies as a run defender. As of now, Pearce’s biggest contributions as a run defender are his ability to use his quickness to track a ball-carrier down from the backside of the play, or his ability to shoot gaps and get penetration. The concern for Pearce as a run defender is when teams decide to run directly at his gap and he’s forced to set a strong edge. Pearce appears to have a lean frame and struggles to hold the point of attack against strong and powerful offensive linemen. Offenses who make a concerted effort to run toward Pearce could potentially have consistent success establishing the run.
Overall, Pearce has the potential to enter the NFL as an impactful edge rusher early in his career while improving his play as a run defender.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Alabama (2024), Florida (2024), Georgia (2024), Ohio State (2024), Alabama (2023), Florida (2023), Georgia (2023), Texas A&M (2023)
