James Pearce Jr. Billed as CFB's "Top Returning Edge Rusher"

Pro Football Focus touted Tennessee Volunteers edge rusher James Pearce Jr. as the best-returning edge rusher in college football.

Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. broke onto the scene in 2023. The 2022 signee flashed enormous upside as a pass-rusher, winning with a blend of elite bend and an ideal frame. He made big plays along the defensive line all season for the Vols and was their most valuable defensive player in just his second season with the program.

"Pearce stuffed the stat sheet in 2023 with 52 pressures, [10] sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six. All of that led to a 92.4 pass-rush grade, which trailed only UCLA’s Laiatu Latu among Power Five edge defenders. Pearce’s underlying metrics support his production, and he is college football’s top returning edge rusher in 2024."

Pearce has all the tools to become a high-impact Sunday player. He tallied 8.5 sacks this season, having numerous impressive moments that made you think he could have a top-10 upside. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller is on record, saying an AFC West scout told him that Pearce would be the No. 1 defensive player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Pearce could be the latest first-rounder from the tutelage of Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner.

Tennessee Volunteers EDGE James Pearce Jr. during the win over Iowa. (Photo by Saul Young of the News Sentinel)

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