Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner continues to produce premium professional talent. Several former Vols are making plays in the NFL along the defensive front, and next year Tennessee could be sending a star to the NFL.
Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has all the tools to become a high-impact Sunday player. He tallied 8.5 sacks this season, having numerous impressive moments that made you think he could have a top-10 upside. ESPN's Matt Miller recently released an article centered around 2025 NFL Draft prospects, and he seemed to agree. You can read the full article here on ESPN+, but look at what he had to say about Pearce.
"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." - ESPN's Matt Miller on James Pearce Jr.
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