Tennessee Edge Rusher James Pearce Jr. Flashes Dominance

Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was fun to watch in all 11 games he played in last season.

Pearce looked like a man amongst boys out there.

This is a great sign considering he plays his college ball in the SEC, which is a hotbed for NFL talent.

This Volunteers’ defender is a human wrecking ball with good speed and grown-man strength. In the first game I studied of Pearce against Virginia, the name “Jevon Kearse” (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) went through my mind. Kearse played his college football for the Florida Gators before being selected No. 16 by the Titans in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played 11 seasons in the NFL (Titans and Eagles) while logging 74 career sacks.

Pearce has a mean and nasty nature and plays with a chip on his shoulder. In this way, he reminded me of former Steelers’ great pass rusher Greg Lloyd (6-foot-2, 228 pounds), who was a feared defender who played 11 years for the Steelers and one season with the Panthers (54.5 career sacks).

A cross between Kearse and Lloyd ⎯ sounds like Pearce is a game-wrecker waiting to happen.

Please don’t listen to a word about his weight

Pearce checks in at 243 pounds, but don’t let that fool you. If you don’t believe me watch the below clip of him blowing up that Alabama big man.

That wasn’t a one-off either.

He also blew through a few other big boys like they were ragdolls (film included in the links):

EXPLOSIVE POWER

• Austin Peay offensive tackle #55 Jalen Armstrong (6-foot-3, 295 pounds)
• South Carolina right tackle #62 Tyshawn Wannamaker (6-foot-3, 310 pounds)
• Kentucky left tackle #69 Marques Cox (6-foot-5, 311 pounds)

Versatile

Tennessee lines up Pearce on the left side of the line of scrimmage and then flops him to the right side. He lines up standing or a four-point stance (both of his hands down in the dirt pre-snap).

Pearce looks coiled and ready to strike.

He’s someone opposing offenses need to be aware at all times. Once in a while, he also dropped into coverage.

Skilled pass rusher

Pearce demonstrated he has a full arsenal of pass-rush moves:

• Swim
• Spin
• Slap and go
• Bullrush

He also has his signature “X” stunt (lines up outside pre-snap and then crosses the defensive tackle inside before quickly accelerating up the pocket into the quarterback’s face).

What’s the downside?

There are no 10s.

Pearce consistently showed he can take over games when he’s “on.” However, I filled up half a sheet of notebook paper when he disappeared on film.

This is what I meant by flashing dominance.

Then there’s his lackluster run defense. He shows it’s in him to blow up a ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage or fight off a block and make a devastating tackle, but that’s not the norm.

His motor is the only thing holding him back.

#27 James Pearce Jr. 6-foot-5, 243 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Summer Grade: First Round (I would select him)

Projected by 91.8% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of August 2, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Texas A&M, Austin Peay, South Carolina, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Iowa (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: 43 pressures and 9.5 sacks in 2023

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Disruptive menacing brute pass rusher with good (not great) playing speed and elite athleticism. Makes it look easy at times. Long and chiseled muscular arms. Arched back (when lined up down). Can get off the snap fast. Capable of getting into the chests of offensive tackles with devastating effects. Has quick, violent, and active hands. Understands the art of leverage. Flexible. Shows quick and fluid changes of direction as he flows inward. Quarterback minded. Flashed short-area burst. Often seen jogging backside, playing soft contain on the edge, or ending up by the pile in run support.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Consistent as a pass rusher?

2. Interested in run defense?

3. Lining up more standing up or with his hands down in the dirt?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.