Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. is one of the most highly touted NFL Draft prospect for 2025. The 6'3", 240-pound edge rusher has shown a level of burst and athleticism that has scouts drooling and has pundits predicting him to go in the top five of the draft, with some even saying #1 overall .
However, according to The Athletic's article f eaturing the top 101 freaks in all of college football , Pearce isn't near the top of the list, coming in at #17. That's not really the fault of the writer, Bruce Feldman, as the article notes it's based upon "submissions from schools, coaches, teammates, parents, NFL scouts, combine trainers and agents."
Here's what Feldman had to say about Pearce:
17) James Pearce, Jr., Tennessee, defensive end
The SEC’s top returning pass rusher wasn’t listed as one of the 10 fastest Vols in the EA Sports College Football 25 video game, but we would put him there after his dazzling display In the Citrus Bowl. Pearce clocked 23 mph on a pick six against Iowa, turning in one of the fastest GPS measurements of any FBS play all season.
One of his coaches told me that the 6-5, 245 pound junior is a legitimate 4.4 40 threat. According to PFF, Pearce was the SEC’s highest graded defensive end last year at 90.9. He tied for the SEC lead in sacks (10) and was second in tackles for loss (14.5); he’s the SEC’s returning statistical leader in both of those. He had 16 quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Of course, Feldman is making reference to Pearce's pick-six against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. With Tennessee leading, Pearce dropped into coverage, stepped in front of a pass by Iowa QB Deacon Hill, snared it, and bolted 51 yards for the game-sealing score.
Feldman points out the very play that completely guts the input and voting for the article. Because if there was any legitimacy to it, there's no way that a player of that size can move that fast. As Feldman states, Pearce reached 23 mph on his race to the end zone. That's top-end wide receiver speed. Jaylen Wright type of speed. Now, imagine a defensive lineman doing that. It's hard to put into words. 4.4-type of speed. That's pure freak athleticism that gets players drafted number one overall.
Of course, add in the power and agility he plays with and the sacks and pressure he's generated, and, well, that speaks for itself.
The bottom line is there aren't 16 players in college football with more freakish athleticism than Pearce. Not 10. Not 5. Fortunately, scouts and front offices recognize that .
We'll see if Pearce can put a giant cherry on top of his prospects with a dominant season in 2024.
Related: Tennessee Vols center Cooper Mays explains the dynamic between him and Nico Iamaleava
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