Tag: James Pearce Jr.

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.

Josh Heupel ‘excited’ for James Pearce Jr., Dee Williams earning SEC honors

Josh Heupel excited for James Pearce Jr. and Dee Williams earning SEC honors.

Sophomore James Pearce Jr. earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors, while Dee Williams was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after Tennessee’s, 20-13, win versus Texas A&M in Week 7.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discussed Pearce Jr. and Williams earned SEC honors.

“Excited for both of those guys, because they continue to grow in how they prepare,” Heupel said. “They continue to grow in their understanding of what we’re doing and are playing their best football right know. They’re two guys that continue to invest and grow, and that’s why they’re playing the way they are. I’m extremely proud of those guys.”

Pearce Jr. recorded three tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack and five quarterback hurries versus the Aggies.

Williams returned a 39-yard punt for a touchdown in the contest. He also totaled 19 yards on one kick return.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Texas A&M in front of Checker Neyland

Two Vols earn SEC weekly honors after Texas A&M win

Two Vols earn SEC weekly honors after Texas A&M win.

Two Tennessee student-athletes earned Southeastern Conference weekly honors following the Vols’, 20-13, win against Texas A&M.

Sophomore defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for a second time in as many games, while return specialist Dee Williams was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Pearce Jr. recorded three tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack and five quarterback hurries versus the Aggies.

Williams returned a 39-yard punt for a touchdown in the contest. He also totaled 19 yards on one kick return.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Texas A&M in front of Checker Neyland

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

James Pearce Jr. named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week

James Pearce Jr. named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Tennessee sophomore defensive end James Pearce Jr. was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Pearce Jr. recorded three tackles, two tackles for a loss, two sacks and one quarterback hurry in Tennessee’s, 41-20, win versus South Carolina in Week 5.

Saturday’s performance marked the second time this season Pearce Jr. has recorded multiple sacks in a contest.

Pearce Jr. is the second Tennessee player to receive SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors in 2023. Tyler Baron earned SEC honors after Tennessee’s, 49-13, season-opening win against Virginia.

Tennessee has an open date in Week 6.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats South Carolina in dark mode uniforms

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire 

James Pearce Jr.’s growth ‘has been great’ for Tennessee

Sophomore defensive lineman James Pearce Jr.’s growth has been great for Tennessee.

Sophomore defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. recorded three tackles, two sacks and two tackles for a loss in Tennessee’s season-opening win versus Virginia in Week 1.

Third-year defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media on Tuesday and discussed Pearce Jr.’s performance.

“Obviously, we’re very confident in James,” Banks said. “His growth has been great for us. We saw it last year, him starting to make some strides and make some even better strides through the spring. We’re not surprised with the display he put on this weekend. Just like I told him, I tell you the same, nobody cares after the first game. You got to continue to put it on tape week in and week out.

“It’s not just him, but everybody on the defense. We’re excited about him, that’s why we recruited him. He’s a great kid who’s only going to get better and I think he’ll be the first one to tell you that.”

The 6-foot-5, 242-pound defensive lineman recorded five tackles, two sacks and two tackles for a loss in 13 games as a freshman in 2022.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football defeats Virginia in Nashville to open 2023 season

Tennessee football’s highest-graded returning defensive players in 2023

A look Tennessee football’s highest-graded returning defensive players ahead of the 2023 season.

The 2023 season will be Tennessee’s third under head coach Josh Heupel. Heupel has compiled an 18-8 (10-6 SEC) record with the Vols.

The Vols will kick off its 2023 season on Sept. 2 against Virginia at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tennessee football: 2023 post-spring game-by-game predictions

As the 2023 season approaches, Vols Wire looks at the highest-graded returning defensive players for Tennessee.

All grades were gathered using the Pro Football Focus (PFF) database and grading system. Data compiled represents a player’s overall offensive grade from the 2022 season, including postseason games.

Student-athletes who played 20 percent of the minimum number of snaps in 2022 were included.

Below are Tennessee’s top-10 highest-graded returning defensive players entering the 2023 season.