Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) fumbles the ball as Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) trails him, during a football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
James Pearce Jr. DE/EDGE Tennessee | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
James Pearce Jr. DE/EDGE Tennessee
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 10/02/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (99%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 10/02/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.49 seconds (99%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 89.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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73% |
| Pass Rush: |
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100% |
| Run Defense: |
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90% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#11
Position rank:
#4
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| College Games: 31 College Snaps: 950 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
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247 RATING: 91/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chop Robinson - Penn State |
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87% |
| Jaelan Phillips - Miami |
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83% |
| Laiatu Latu - UCLA |
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80% |
Draft Profile: Bio
James Pearce Jr., a junior edge rusher from Tennessee, hails from Charlotte, North Carolina. At Julius L. Chambers High School, Pearce was a standout, helping lead his team to back-to-back state titles in 2019 and 2020. His senior year was particularly impressive, as he racked up 14.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two safeties, and two interceptions.Pearce chose Tennessee over 18 other offers, including 13 from Power 5 schools. As a freshman in 2022, he played in all 13 games, accumulating five tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks. His sophomore campaign in 2023 was a breakout year, earning him first-team All-SEC honors. Pearce amassed 28 tackles (18 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 16 QB hurries, one interception returned for a touchdown, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
Entering his junior season in 2024, Pearce was named to numerous watch lists, including the Bednarik Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Nagurski Trophy, and Lombardi Award. He was also selected as a preseason first-team All-American by multiple publications.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Twitched-up edge rusher with explosive get-off and elite straight-line speed for the position
- Demonstrates exceptional ankle flexion and hip sink when turning the corner on speed rushes
- Long-levered frame with room to add mass without sacrificing athleticism
- Flashes violence in his hands when executing rip and swim moves
- Displays good lateral agility to counter inside and string out outside runs
- Shows ability to convert speed to power, delivering jolting initial punch to OTs
- Exhibits natural instincts as a pass rusher, consistently finding ways to affect the QB
- Versatile defender capable of playing from 2 and 3-point stances
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized for the position at 242 pounds, which can limit his ability to set the edge consistently in the run game
- Play strength needs improvement, as he can struggle to maintain leverage against more powerful offensive linemen
- Can be engulfed by wider blockers on counter moves due to his lean frame
- Lacks the lower body strength to consistently convert speed to power on bull rushes
- Balance through contact is inconsistent, especially when attempting to sustain power rushes
Scouting Report: Summary
Pearce's elite first-step quickness and bend around the edge make him a nightmare for opposing tackles. His ability to threaten the outside shoulder and flatten to the QB is reminiscent of some of the NFL's premier speed rushers. While his frame suggests room for growth, Pearce already possesses the length and burst to be an impact player at the next level.Despite his pass-rushing prowess, Pearce's 2024 season stats (3 tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 sacks through four games) don't tell the full story of his impact. Opponents have consistently schemed away from him, resulting in only 268 yards gained on 107 snaps where Pearce was on the field. His presence has forced penalties, created opportunities for teammates, and limited big plays. However, his lighter frame and occasional struggles against the run highlight areas for improvement.
At the next level, Pearce profiles best as a stand-up edge in a 3-4 or multiple front defense that can maximize his explosiveness off the edge. His skill set and physical tools suggest a high ceiling as a pass-rush specialist with the potential to develop into an every-down player. Teams will need to weigh his elite pass-rush traits against his current limitations in the run game when considering his draft stock.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate James Pearce Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
14.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
3.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.