Tennessee star defensive end James Pearce Jr. is declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced late on Wednesday just before the declaration deadline for underclassmen. Pearce emerged as one of the top edge rushers in college football over the past two seasons while helping the Volunteers take significant defensive strides.

Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr., a standout pass rusher during the past two seasons, has declared for the 2025 draft.

The Tennessee Volunteers watched James Pearce go from former four-star talent to a projected first rounder. The latest Mock Drafts have him inside the top-15.

James Pearce, a 6-foot-5, 243-pounder, is among the top pass rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is as a projected first-round pick.

Tennessee junior defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. declared for the 2025 NFL draft on Wednesday. He will forgo his senior season in 2025 with the Vols. Pearce Jr. is projected as a first-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

Dylan Sampson had been the lone junior from Tennessee's 2024 roster to leave the Volunteers early for the NFL. Then the obvious happened.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - As expected, James Pearce’s days as a Volunteer are over announcing that he will pass up his senior season and enter the NFL Draft where he’s expected to be a 1st round pick.