Ourlads' Profile:
2025 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about JAMES PEARCE JR.:
Tennessee | Hometown: Charlotte, NC | HT: 6052 | WT: 245 | 40 time: 4.47 | Hand: 1000 | Arm: 3300 | Wing: 8100
Junior entry, two year starter. First team All-SEC in 2023 and 2024. Pearce has a thin lanky frame with long arms. Played the Leo or Sam on the ball outside linebacker at Tennessee. He’s versatile, aligning in both a two and three point and playing wide nine down to a five technique. He’s primarily been a rush linebacker in the scheme but has been used to drop in flat coverage occasionally. With his length and athletic ability he’s been effective in that role. As a run defender he can spill the play against pullers sending a play wide. Has excellent ability to change direction and stick his foot in the ground and accelerate to chase on runs away. Has range to chase across the field. As a pass rusher he’s primarily a speed to power player but flashes various hand swipes to complement his speed. Quick at the snap and can get a tackle off balance with initial charge. Has excellent speed to get around the edge and has a burst to close. Solid ability to chase down athletic quarterbacks. Will occasionally flash a quick out to in move to counter an overset. With his sudden first step he’s been effective on inside stunts. He’s not a consistently effective edge setter and teams have had success running right at him. Lacks power and hand usage to consistently separate from blocks. Powerful blockers can easily ride him out. Some hip tightness shows up at times and his bend around the corner is inconsistent. His pass rush arsenal has been limited and he lacks a consistent counter. Too often locked up by an athletic blocker. His playmaking skill is impressive but the holes in his game need attention. He projects as a rotational pass rusher initially.
2024 Stats: 38 T, 13 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 10 QBH, 1 FF. OSR:6/37. 10-1.50. Draft projection: 1st/2nd round