Tennessee’s edge rusher, James Pearce Jr., has been forecasted as the potential top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in multiple mock drafts. He earned a spot on the All-SEC first-team in 2023 and is widely regarded as the premier returning defensive prospect in college football.
Head coach Josh Heupel acknowledged the attention surrounding Pearce and emphasized that he has a considerable journey ahead before the next NFL Draft. Although Heupel expressed immense admiration, he also highlighted the areas where Pearce still needs development and elaborated on the reasons behind his rapid rise to dominance.
“It underscores his talent and the achievements he’s made on the field,” Heupel elaborated to reporters. “James possesses length and athleticism, and he has delivered numerous standout performances. However, there’s ample room for growth in his understanding of the game and in consistently performing at his peak level. He’s still a young player within our program, having not enrolled mid-year but spending two full seasons with us. We anticipate significant progress from him and expect him to approach the upcoming season with the right mindset.”
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