James Pearce Jr., Others Excluded From ESPN's Top 100 CFB Players List

The Tennessee Volunteers were notably absent from ESPN's recent top-100 college football players rankings ahead of the 2024 season.

ESPN recently released its top-100 college football players heading into the 2024 season. The Vols were notably absent from the list, having zero players on it despite a 9-4 win campaign that saw them finish with a dominant win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, a Big Ten Championship Game participant who fielded a top-5 defense.

Though Tennessee finished a ways off from what they could have been, they are still building a lot of momentum heading into next year. There were several Vols that had arguments to make the list, most notable edge rusher James Pearce Jr. Pearce tallied 27 tackles and 9.5 sacks, making him one of the top SEC defenders in 2022. 

Volunteer Country Candidates for ESPN's Top-100 List

• Nico Iamaleava, QB
• Dylan Sampson, RB
• Bru McCoy, WR
• Cooper Mays, C
• James Pearce Jr., EDGE

Tennessee Volunteers EDGE James Pearce Jr. during the win over Iowa. (Photo by Morgan Tencza of USA Today Sports)

The offseason is underway for Tennessee football. The Vols have concluded the season and are now focusing on roster construction for the 2023 season. Volunteer Country has fans covered with all the latest portal entries and NFL Draft declarations. The portal window is from December 4 until January 2. If players don't transfer within that window, they must wait until May following spring practice to enter the transfer portal.

Tennessee's Offseason Player Movement

Former Vols In The Transfer Portal

• Warren Burrell, DB (Georgia Tech)
• Mo Clipper, OL (Charlotte)
• Brandon Turnage, DB
• Jack Luttrell, DB (Arizona)
• Addison Nichols, OL (Arkansas)
• Tyler Baron, DL (Ole Miss)
• Doneiko Slaughter, DB (Arkansas)
• De’Shawn Rucker, DB
• Tamarion Mcdonald, DB (Ole Miss)
• Wesley Walker, DB (Louisville)
• Gerald Mincey, OL

Transfer Additions

• Holden Staes, Notre Dame TE
• Jakobe Thomas, Middle Tennessee State S
• Jerod McCoy, Oregon State CB
• Chris Brazzell, Tulane WR

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