James Pearce Jr.

COLLEGE

• Appeared in 39 games over three seasons (2022-24) for Tennessee, totaling 71 tackles (44 solo), 19.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three passes defensed and one interception. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound edge totaled a team-leading 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2024, also recording 38 tackles (23 solo). He earned back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors in his sophomore and junior seasons and was a 2024 Bednarik Award Semifinalist, presented annually to the nation's defensive player of the year.
• In 2024, started in all 13 games logging 38 tackles (23 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one pass defense, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Pearce Jr. was a Lombardi award winner as well as a Walter Camp Player of the Year. He led Tennessee in tackles for loss (13), sacks (7.5) and quarterback hits (10). His tackles for loss and sack total both ranked 10th in the SEC.
• In 2023, appeared in 13 games (three starts), recording 28 tackles (23 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one interception returned for 52 yards. Pearce Jr. earned first-team All-SEC recognition from both AP and coaches. His 21.3 percent pressure rate and 92.4 pass-rush grade both ranked third in the nation. He tied for the SEC lead in sacks (10) and ranked second in the league tackles for loss (13).
• Played in all 13 games his freshman year in 2022, logging five tackles (three solo), two tackles for loss and two sacks.

PERSONAL

• A five-star defensive line out of Charlotte, N.C., attended Chambers High School where he won four consecutive North Carolina class 4A State Championship games, including back-to-back state titles in 2019 and 2020.