KNOXVILLE, TN - September 30, 2023 - Defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. #27 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Avery Bane/Tennessee Athletics
James Pearce Jr. is considered the most explosive pass rusher in this year’s draft, and could be a top ten pick.
Pearce is a Junior EDGE rusher at University of Tennessee, known for his unstoppable motor and high speeds.
As a 2022 prospect, James was a 4-star, known for his size and his dominant Senior year. Coming from North Carolina, James had plenty of offers, but ultimately committed to Tennessee.
In his breakout sophomore season with the Volunteers, James recorded 27 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a pick-six, generating an unbelievable amount of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and earning himself All-SEC honors. In his current second year as a full-time starter, James is continuing to impress NFL scouts, even though he may not have the same stats from a season before.
Player Info
Name: James Pearce Jr.
Jersey: No. 27
Position: Edge Rusher
School: University of Tennessee
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 243 lbs.
James Pearce Jr.’s Strengths
James has an excellent motor with an endless reserve of stamina. He can chase down plays and generate pressure all game.
He could be schemed to drop back into coverage if needed due to his freak athleticism. With his size and speed, covering opposing tight ends would be no issue in the NFL.
With his long wingspan and great frame he can really disrupt passing lanes and help tackle beyond the defensive line.
James has insane speed for a pass rusher, and uses it well. He can translate his speed into power by getting a running start before bull-rushing opposing offensive linemen.
His awareness is at a very high level, able to spot handoffs and cut off outside runs or quarterback keepers.
He can generate leverage one-on-one getting underneath offensive tackles, and possesses a strong swim move.
James Pearce Jr.’s Weaknesses
Given his frame, he is actually undersized and could use extra weight to really build his strength.
James tends to be a bit of a liability in the inside run game. If he could put on some weight and work his way back into running lanes when not rushing the passer he could find himself becoming a frequent in NFL backfields.
He struggles against larger and more athletic offensive tackles as they can keep up with his speed.
James does not possess a wide array of pass-rush moves and instead relies on pure talent, something that would need to change to really succeed in the NFL.
Draft Projection
James is projected to be an early to mid first round pick, and as one of the first pass-rushers taken in the draft. With an early need for offense seeming apparent in most mock drafts, especially offensive tackle, quarterbacks, and receivers, James could slip to the back half of the first.
Needing to develop as a true Edge rusher, teams may look to take other prospects with overall bigger stature and more refined skills. Since teams may see him as a very specific scheme fit, more notably for a 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker, he could also see a notable fall into the last few picks of the first round.
Draft Projection: Late 1st Round
Team Fits: Buccaneers, Chargers, Dolphins
Conclusion and Comparison
Overall, James could develop into the best pass-rusher in the draft. With some more coaching and the proper scheme fit James could see himself in pro-bowl contention every year. His explosiveness is unmatched in this class, and a great combine could shoot him up draft boards, similar to Travon Walker, who saw his athleticism raise him into the number one overall selection.
As James Pearce Jr. faces steeper competition in the SEC, most notably against Alabama, he could really solidify himself as the best pass-rusher in the class.
Player Comparison: Shaquil Barrett, OLB
