Tag: James Pearce Jr.

Bucs get edge help in Matt Miller’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

In Matt Miller’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft, he has the Bucs taking another chance on a prominent edge rusher in the class.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been searching for a star pass rusher in recent years and just haven’t made it happen yet. General Manager Jason Licht has taken chances on Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Yaya Diaby but they haven’t been reliable pass rushers.

In Matt Miller’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft, he has the Bucs taking another chance on a prominent edge rusher in the class.

The Tennessee Volunteers have been known for their offense in recent years but James Pearce Jr. has emerged as one of the best defenders in the country. Miller writes, “Outside of better health at receiver, the Buccaneers’ roster is in good shape, which could allow the team to utilize the “best player available” strategy. Pearce certainly fits that bill, as he tops all FBS players with a 20.2% pressure rate. . .”

The roster is well-built and accurate; it just needs some more difference-makers on defense. Pearce Jr. projects to develop into one of those much-needed difference-makers.

James Pearce Jr. ranked No. 1 overall player in 2024

Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. ranked No. 1 overall in ESPN’s top 100 players for 2024.

ESPN released its top 100 college football players before the start of the 2024 season on Thursday. Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. ranked as the No. 1 player.

“Entering his third season at Tennessee, the 6-5, 243-pound Pearce is the top pass rusher in the country despite having started only three career games,” ESPN said. “He’s projected as a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft and has 16.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in his first two seasons. Pearce was a first-team All-SEC selection last season by both the AP and coaches after ranking fifth nationally with 38 total pressures.”

Tennessee’s quarterback Nico Iamaleava was also ranked by ESPN at No. 92.

Pearce Jr. was also named to ESPN’s preseason first team All-American team.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

ESPN names James Pearce Jr. as preseason first team All-American

ESPN names Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. as preseason first team All-American.

ESPN released its 2024 preseason All-America team on Wednesday.

Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. was selected as part of the first team defense.

“Pearce was one of the sport’s breakout stars a year ago and enters his junior season as one of the most feared pass rushers in the country,” Chris Low said. “He tied for the SEC lead last season with 10 sacks and tied for fifth nationally with 38 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-5 Pearce has bulked up since arriving on campus and is now 243 pounds. Some scouts think he could be the top defender taken in the 2025 NFL draft.”

Pearce Jr. was Tennessee’s only player selected on ESPN’s first team offense or defense. Center Cooper Mays was named as a second team offensive player.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Vols return top 15 ranked offense in 2024

A look at where Tennessee’s offense, defense and special teams are nationally ranked ahead of the 2024 college football season.

Tennessee will kick off its 2024 college football season in 17 days at Neyland Stadium. The Vols continue to practice in fall training camp in preparation for the upcoming season opening Aug. 31.

Ahead of Week 1, ESPN’s Bill Connelly released updated SP+ rankings. SP+ preseason projections are based on three factors: Returning production, recent recruiting and recent history.

According to SP+, the Vols enter the season as the No. 16 overall team, and with the No. 14 projected offense, No. 19 defense and 52nd overall for special teams.

Tennessee’s offense this season will be led by redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, while defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. will lead the Vols’ defense.

Tennessee’s first contest in 2024 will take place Aug. 31 versus Chattanooga. The in-state matchup will kick off at 12:45 p.m. EDT and will be televised by SEC Network.

READ: Tennessee’s projected 2024 offensive starting lineup

READ: Tennessee’s projected 2024 defensive starting lineup

James Pearce Jr. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

James Pearce Jr. named top returning edge defender

Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. named top returning edge defender.

Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. was named Pro Football Focus’ top returning edge defender in 2024.

“Pearce became one of the most fearsome pass rushers in college football this past season,” Max Chadwick said. “The sophomore’s 21.3 percent pressure rate ranked third among all edge defenders in the country, as did his 92.4 pass-rush grade. Pearce ended the season as the fourth-most-valuable Power Five edge defender, according to PFF’s wins above average metric.”

Pearce Jr. recorded 28 tackles, 14.5 for a loss, 10 sacks, one interception, one touchdown, one pass deflection and two forced fumbles in 2023.

He is projected as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft by Touchdown Wire.

Two Vols receive Walter Camp Preseason All-America honors

Two Tennessee football players receive Walter Camp Preseason All-America honors.

Two Tennessee football players have received Walter Camp first-team preseason All-America recognition.

Center Cooper Mays and defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. received recognition by the Walter Camp Foundation, the oldest All-America Team.

Tennessee is one of six schools to have multiple players receive first-team  recognition, joining Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State.

Mays, a fifth-year senior for the Vols, begins his fourth year as Tennessee’s starting center. He has not allowed a sack in his last 14 games.

Pearce Jr. has totaled 16.5 tackles for a loss, 17 quarterback hurries, 12 sacks, one interception for a touchdown, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

James Pearce Jr. projected as top overall NFL draft pick

Tennessee junior James Pearce Jr. is projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Tennessee junior defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. is projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft by Touchdown Wire.

He is projected to be drafted by Carolina.

The Charlotte, North Carolina native has appeared in 26 games in two seasons at Tennessee. He was voted a 2023 First-Team All-SEC standout by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press.

Pearce Jr. recorded 33 tackles, 21 solo tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.

He returned an interception for a touchdown against Iowa in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

In the Vols,’ 35-0, victory over the Hawkeyes, Pearce Jr. totaled three tackles, one tackle for a loss and one sack.

Pearce Jr. finished the 2023 season with 28 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football defeats Iowa in 2024 Citrus Bowl

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

James Pearce Jr. scores on first career touchdown

James Pearce Jr. scores on first career touchdown in the Citrus Bowl.

Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. concluded his sophomore season on Monday in the Vols’ 35-0 win versus Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Pearce Jr. recorded three tackles, one sack, one tackle for a loss, one interception, one touchdown and one forced fumble against the Hawkeyes. He scored on a 52-yard interception for his first career touchdown.

The 6-foot-5, 242-pound defensive lineman discussed Tennessee’s victory after the game.

“We always want to come out and dominate at a really high level no matter who we are playing,” Pearce Jr. said.

Pearce Jr. recorded 24 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks during the 2023 season.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Iowa in 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Vols shut out Iowa in Citrus Bowl

Tennessee shuts out Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.

No. 23 Tennessee (9-4, 4-4 SEC) defeated No. 17 Iowa (10-4, 7-2 Big Ten), 35-0, Monday in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The Vols led, 14-0, at halftime as freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, made his first career start. He scored two touchdown runs during the second quarter.

Iamaleava also had a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to make the score, 21-0.

James Pearce Jr. scored on a 52-yard interception return with 14 minutes, 54 seconds remaining in the contest.

The Vols scored last with 4:48 remaining when Iamaleava completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end McCallan Castles.

Iamaleava completed 12-of-19 passing attempts for 151 passing yards and one passing touchdown. He also totaled 15 rushing attempts for 27 yards and three touchdowns en route to being named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Dylan Sampson, also making his first start at Tennessee, recorded 133 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Ramel Keyton led the Vols with three receptions for 51 yards.

Tennessee’s defense held the Hawkeyes to 173 total yards. Iowa was shut out for the second consecutive game and third time this season.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Three Vols earn All-SEC football honors

Three Vols earn All-SEC football honors.

Defensive lineman James Pearce Jr., running back Jaylen Wright and offensive lineman Cooper Mays earned All-Southeastern Conference honors for Tennessee in 2023.

Pearce Jr. earned First-Team All-SEC honors from coaches and media. He recorded 8.5 sacks, 13 tackles for a loss and a team-high 15 quarterback hurries during the regular-season.

Wright was named second-team all-conference by the Associated Press. He recorded 1,013 yards and four touchdowns on 137 rushing attempts during the regular-season.

Mays was a second-team all-conference selection by the Associated Press. Tennessee’s offensive line was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, which is awarded to the best offensive line in the country.