James Pearce is a big guy, 6-5 and 242. There is enough of him for three or four Tennessee coaches to share the credit for his accomplishments and claim an investment in lofty projections.
Josh Heupel approved his recruitment. Mike Ekeler did the legwork. Rodney Garner told James what he could be if he listened closely and put in the work. Tim Banks, defensive coordinator, was encouraging. He said the sky is the limit, run faster, jump higher.
Football analysts, paid by the word, list many reasons why Pearce might go No. 1 in next year’s NFL draft. Some of us doubt that is going to happen. Quarterbacks are traditional superstars. Pro teams spend twice as many first picks on QBs as defensive linemen. The actual count in the history of the draft is 34-16.
There are other James Pearce hurdles in the history of the draft. Since 1936, two Volunteers have been No. 1 selections – tailback George Cafego in 1940 and Peyton Manning in 1998.
Additional evidence? How about the greatest defensive Vols? Reggie White was the fourth pick in 1984. Eric Berry went No. 5 in 2010. Steve DeLong was No. 6 in 1965.
Doug Atkins was pretty good at what he did and an imposing physical specimen. He was the No. 11 draft choice in 1953.
Scouts tell me Pearce is exceptional, that he is probably the best edge rusher in college football. That makes him very valuable, a multi-millionaire-to-be.
If he performs anywhere near his potential this fall, he will be very valuable to Tennessee’s plan to be a better team than last year. Offensive improvement seems a given. Nico will make a difference. Veteran linemen are reason to believe. Wide receiver depth is a plus. Dylan Sampson and young people may be enough at running back.
Heupel exudes confidence that the defense will be better. I’m not 100 percent sure what that is based on but optimism is part of his job, to encourage improvement and help sell all the seats in Neyland Stadium.
Be advised that seeing is believing.
As of today, Pearce and the experienced defensive front are the strength of the team. The return of Keenan Pili improves the outlook at linebacker. The secondary has been the problem all along. There are new faces. That does not guarantee better results but change, any change, is better than crossing your fingers behind your back and counting to 47.
Pearce is not a rags-to-riches story. He was a five-star defensive line prospect in Charlotte, the No. 11 prep player in the country (I don’t know how to prove that).
He helped Chambers High School to North Carolina class 4A state championships in 2019 and 2020. He got almost everybody’s attention as a senior with 14.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two safeties and two interceptions.
Ekeler, important assistant as coordinator of Tennessee special teams, is a natural salesman. He could sell vinyl siding. His enthusiasm is contagious. He helped Pearce see that Heupel and the Vols were a much better choice than Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss and all other teams with helmets and pads.
Pearce wasn’t exactly an all-star as a Tennessee freshman. He was credited with five tackles. He did sack quarterback Brady Cook in the 66-24 rout of Missouri. That was his first start.
In the spring of 2023, something big happened. Garner called publicly for a defensive end, any end, to take a step forward. James responded. Last season turned into 10 sacks, 15 tackles for losses, a bunch of quarterback pressures, a pick six against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl and his name in lights.
He finished with the highest efficiency grade among Southeastern Conference defensive ends.
Banks interrupted the applause to say “He’s just a sophomore!”
That was January. Banks now talks about how versatile James will be as a junior and how good he can be. Of course, the coach does a bit of coaching.
“I think James would be the first to tell you there’s a lot of room for improvement. The good news is he’s working extremely hard to take another step.”
Pearce says the right things. Some of it sounds like it originated with Heupel.
“Learn something every day. If you can learn something every day that you can use in life, it will keep you on the path that you want.
“If you work hard and win, everything else will come. People make so many goals and circle them on the calendar every year. It’s not solidified unless you win. I feel like winning gives you everything.”
The August challenge is relatively simple. Garner says James must continue to grow as a player and not get caught up in all the chatter about his future.
Heupel says “It’s impossible to shut out all the outside noise in today’s environment. It’s just not going to happen.”
Assemble the facts and here’s what you get: Top 10 in the next NFL draft, fame and fortune are out there to be had but do remember the wise sayings and cliches.
- Don’t count chickens before they hatch.
- Keep the pedal to the metal.
- Never get the cart in front of the horse.
- Have no wine before its time.
Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com