2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report- James Pearce Jr.

Prospect Summary:

Pearce was one of the breakout players in college football in 2023. After totaling only five tackles in 2022, Pearce was an impact player for Tennessee as a sophomore. He totaled 28 tackles with 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two passes batted, and an interception last season.    Pearce had 38 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted and has produced a lot of pressures in 2024. He produced more pressure on the quarterback than the sack total indicates, and SEC offenses game-planned for Pearce with extra attention to try and limit his effectiveness.

In the passing-driven NFL, teams always look for young edge rushers who can pressure the quarterback. Thus, there should be plenty of teams interested in drafting Pearce. After his breakout season in 2023 and staying consistent in 2024, Pearce showed that he is a dangerous quarterback hunter capable of making game-changing plays. There is no doubt that Pearce has next-level ability and some God-given traits for hunting the quarterback.

For the NFL, Pearce is a pure speed rusher off the edge. He has a fast first step and instant acceleration to get upfield. If a tackle is slow out of his stance or is late to get depth in his pass set, Pearce is dangerous to produce a blow-by that gets to the quarterback in a blur. Pearce has the speed to turn the corner with quick twitch to dart to the inside when tackles overset to the outside. With smooth agility and explosion, Pearce has dangerous inside/outside speed rush potential. On plays where Pearce is blocked, he can redirect to chase down a scrambling quarterback, and Pearce will give a second effort. With his explosion and acceleration, Pearce flashed some speed-to-power potential occasionally last season. Pearce has the potential to be an impact player in the pass rush.

In 2023, Pearce had some ugly moments in run defense. There were plays in the ground game where he got absolutely destroyed. Pearce got pushed back out of his gap and pancaked five yards downfield. However, in 2024, Pearce’s run defense was significantly improved. He was stronger to hold his ground, did a better job of not getting pushed out of his gap, and was more stout at the point of attack. Pearce’s run defense still needs work for the NFL, but he is on the right track to be at least average.

Pearce looks like a starting defensive end who could be an impact player at the pro level. He has double-digit sack potential and could be a force in the pass rush. In the 2025 NFL Draft, Pearce looks like a top-16 pick.