James Pearce Jr.

Last updated

James Pearce Jr.
James Pearce Jr Tennessee.png
Pearce with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2024
No. 27 – Atlanta Falcons
Position Linebacker
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2003-10-12) October 12, 2003 (age 21)
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight243 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school Chambers (Charlotte)
College Tennessee (2022–2024)
NFL draft 2025: 1st round, 26th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of Week 1, 2025
Tackles 2
Sacks 0.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James Cecil Pearce Jr. (born October 12, 2003) is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and selected by the Falcons in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Pearce Jr. attended Julius L. Chambers High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. [1] [2] As a senior, he had 14.5 sacks and two interceptions. He helped lead his team to back-to-back North Carolina 4AA state championships in 2019 and 2020. [3] A four-star prospect, he committed to the University of Tennessee to play college football. [4] [5]

College career

As a true freshman at Tennessee in 2022, Pearce Jr. played in all 13 games and had five tackles and two sacks. He returned to Tennessee for his sophomore year in 2023. [6] [7] During the 2023 season, he ranked third in the SEC for sacks and fifth in the SEC regarding tackles for loss. In the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, he recorded a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown. [8]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 5+1⁄4 in
(1.96 m)		245 lb
(111 kg)		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m)		10 in
(0.25 m)		4.47 s1.56 s2.61 s31.0 in
(0.79 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)
All values from NFL Combine [9] [10]

Pearce was drafted in the first round with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. [11] The Falcons traded up with the Los Angeles Rams to pick Pearce, giving up the 2026 first round pick as well as a 2025 third and 2025 seventh. [12]

References

  1. ↑ Fowler, Chapel (December 15, 2021). "NC's top uncommitted football recruit not rushing to sign despite offers from UGA, more". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  2. ↑ Wertz Jr., Langston (December 10, 2021). "'You're an NFL talent.' How Chambers High's James Pearce evolved into an SEC recruit". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  3. ↑ James Pearce Jr. - Football - University of Tennessee. University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  4. ↑ Ray, Matt (December 15, 2021). "Just In: Tennessee Signs Prized Edge Rusher James Pearce". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  5. ↑ "James Pearce Jr., Tennessee Volunteers, Edge". 247Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  6. ↑ Paschall, David (October 3, 2023). "Persistent Pearce averaging a sack a game for the Vols". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ Sparks, Adam (March 25, 2023). "Why the next Byron Young for Tennessee football won't get a participation trophy". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  8. ↑ Schumpert, Ryan (January 2, 2024). "James Pearce's Dominance Shines In Citrus Bowl, 2023 Season". Rocky Top Insider. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  9. ↑ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "James Pearce Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  10. ↑ "James Pearce Jr. College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  11. ↑ McFadden, Will (April 25, 2025). "Falcons select James Pearce Jr. with No. 26 pick in 2025 NFL Draft". Atlanta Falcons. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ Kendall, Josh (May 7, 2025). "How the Falcons got comfortable with a risky trade up for James Pearce Jr". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 8, 2025.
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