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Former Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce carries his dislike for SEC rival with him to the NFL

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Aug 14, 2025 9:47 AM ET

Former Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce will be spending (at least) the next few seasons in a city full of fans of an SEC rival that he doesn't like "that much".

Pearce, a first-round selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft, was asked by a reporter this week -- after joint practices with the Tennessee Titans -- how he's liked being in Atlanta so far.

The former Vol, who is from Charlotte, NC (which is just a few hours north of Atlanta), gave an answer that's sure to give Tennessee fans a chuckle.

"I'm a down south kid for sure, I feel at home," said Pearce.

"Like I said, I'm a down south kid. Being here in Georgia -- I ain't like the Georgia Bulldogs that much. But other than that, I'm back in my dad's hometown. I get to play for the A, it's a great thing to do."

“I’m a down south kid, being here in Georgia, I didn’t like the Georgia Bulldogs that much…” - Former Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce pic.twitter.com/PEqGYuy5b4
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) August 13, 2025

There will be plenty of fans of other SEC programs in Atlanta -- including a significant number of Vols fans -- but there's no doubt that Pearce will encounter his fair share of Georgia fans while playing for the Falcons.

Oddly enough, despite Pearce's prolific college career, he never had a sack against the Bulldogs.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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