Tennessee Vols fans need to enjoy edge rusher James Pearce while he's in Knoxville because 2024 will almost certainly be his final season on Rocky Top.
Pearce, who will be a junior next fall, is coming off a breakout season that saw him total 9.5 sacks and an interception (which was returned for a touchdown) as a sophomore in 2023.
ESPN's Matt Miller listed Pearce on Thursday among his top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft.
And an AFC Scout that spoke to Miller suggested that Pearce would be the first defensive player drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft if he were eligible.
From ESPN: A legitimate top-five returning player for the 2025 draft class, Pearce is a 6-5, 242-pound blur rushing off the edge. With 43 pressures and 9.5 sacks in 2023, Pearce established himself as one of the best pass-rushers in the SEC. In fact, an AFC West scout who covers the conference told me Pearce would be the first defensive player drafted in the 2024 class if he were draft-eligible. Expectations are high for Pearce, but his speed and savvy pass-rush moves are worthy of the hype.
Not only is Pearce going to be a force for the Vols in 2024, but it sounds like he's going to be a top five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft (which will help Tennessee in recruiting).
The Vols have a bonafide superstar in Pearce and he's poised to be one of the top defensive players in college football next fall.
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