James Pearce Jr.
| Tennessee Volunteers – No. 27 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Defensive end |
| Class | Sophomore |
| Major | Sociology |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | October 12, 2003 |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 242 lb (110 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| Bowl games | |
| High school | Chambers (Charlotte, North Carolina) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
James Cecil Pearce Jr. (born October 12, 2003) is an American football defensive end for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Early life and high school[edit]
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 committed to the University of Tennessee to play college football.[3]
College career[edit]
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.[4][5] During the 2023 season, he ranked third in the SEC for sacks and fifth in the SEC regarding tackles for loss.[6]
Personal life[edit]
On December 4, 2023, Pearce Jr. was arrested by Knoxville Police Department officers on charges of driving with a suspended driver's license after being pulled over for speeding.[6] Police discovered he had a suspended license and expired tags from North Carolina.[6] He was also charged with failure to present insurance, improperly displaying his registration, and improperly tinting his window.[6] It was reported that Pearce Jr. disobeyed police instructions and walked toward vehicle after he was pulled over.[6] His vehicle would be impounded as well.[6] Of the three University of Tennessee players who were pulled over for driving related incidents during the 2023 season, which also included senior cornerback Doneiko Slaughter and freshman running back DeSean Bishop, Pearce was only one of these players who was arrested and not just issued a citation.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ray, Matt (December 15, 2021). "Just In: Tennessee Signs Prized Edge Rusher James Pearce". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Paschall, David (October 3, 2023). "Persistent Pearce averaging a sack a game for the Vols". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f Sparks, Adam (December 4, 2023). "Tennessee football star defensive end James Pearce arrested after traffic stop". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ Meaney, Mackenzie (December 5, 2023). "James Pearce Jr. is 3rd Vols player hit with traffic violation". Deadspin. Retrieved December 5, 2023.