Naturally Gifted Pass Rusher James Pearce Jr.

University of Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has everything it takes to make life miserable for NFL quarterbacks.

Fast first step

Athletic

Flexible

Elite bend

Brute strength

Fast and violent hands

Toolbox full of pass-rushing moves

Strategic

Quarterback minded

That last one is a biggie and it’s a term I’ve coined to describe defenders who have one singular focus ⎯getting to the quarterback. That’s not just my opinion either. It’s what Pearce put on his tape and the numbers back it. He produced 9.5 sacks in 2023 and 7.5 in 2024. Per Pro Football Focus, he added 11 quarterback hits and 28 hurries in 2023, and four more quarterback hits and 43 hurries in 2024.

That’s a whole lot of pressure.

What does Pearce look like on game film in 2024?

He looks dominant at times and he disappears at other times.

There’s no question Pearce has what it takes, it’s just a matter of consistency. This is why I started to study as many games as possible. Having the ‘traits’ is great, but they must show up on game film and they must show up consistently. That’s my main issue with Pearce ⎯inconsistency. Pearce shows up more often than not (I’d say 60% of the time).

Pearce was underperforming during the season’s first three games against NC State, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Nothing was “officially” mentioned, but I noticed he wasn’t out there with the starting lineup for the next four games vs. Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi State. It worked. Pearce looked like he had a ‘fire lit under him,’ in those four games and then he was spotty down the stretch in the rest of the games he started. The issue seems to be keeping Pearce motivated.

Rare combo

Pearce has a rare combination of speed and man-moving power. Not only does he have the speed it takes to close the deal, but he has what it takes to overpower offensive linemen.

That’s the most surprising part about him given his weight.

Pearce consistently demonstrated (in 2023 and 2024) that he can put 300+ pound offensive linemen on skates and drive them back into the quarterback.

Concerns?

Character background work is a piece to the puzzle in NFL College Scouting Departments.

ESPN reported on Dec. 4, 2023, that Pearce was arrested during a traffic stop for “disobeying orders from police.” Details of that incident are found here. Per NBC’s WBIR 10 News, those ‘misdemeanor citations have been dismissed.’ According to Off The Hook Sports with Dave Hooker, “Pearce needs to be ready to handle tough interviews from NFL teams about his rather minor legal issue.”

The same outlet suggested Tennessee was hiding Pearce from the SEC Media Day due to this incident. In the report, it was speculated that Pearce’s “maturity,” may be an issue and the question was raised, “Is Tennessee afraid he could say something out of line?”

This is the kind of information teams will likely contemplate about Pearce.

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

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2025 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 91.7% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of February 13, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Tennessee Edge Rusher James Pearce Jr. Flashes Dominance (2023: 11 games evaluated)

2024 game film evaluated: NC State, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Georgia, UTEP, Vanderbilt, and Ohio State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Difference making pass rusher who is average against the run. Well put together. Long arms. Looks coiled and ready to strike with his hand down in the dirt. Also lines up standing up off the edges. Flip flops from side to side. Sometimes rushed up the middle. Active. Fluid. Springy. Big moment guy. Flashes short-area close. Can lock out at the point of attack. Likes stunting inside. Showed swim, spin, head fake, and outside step, inside pass rush moves. Capable bull rusher. Draws his share of double teams. Couldn’t make quick adjustments in the pocket. Inconsistent shedding run blocks. Has a little give-up to his game.

Final words

Pearce is unstoppable when he’s on.

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.