Josh Heupel details progression of Joshua Josephs, James Pearce since joining program

Josh Heupel has supreme confidence in two budding young stars for Tennessee.

As the Volunteers look to build upon a fantastic first season from Heupel, they’ll be adding to impressive recruits to their defense — pass rushers Joshua Josephs and James Pearce. Speaking with the media, Heupel detailed the progression of the two fresh-faced four-star recruits since they’ve joined Tennessee.

“We’re going to find out this training camp. You know, their ability to grow. Individual, technique, fundamentals. Understanding our scheme. Been really impressed with both of them so far this summer, the opportunities that we’ve had. Whether that’s in the classroom or our on the grass. For their ability to retain information, digest it and apply it out on the football field,” stated Heupel. “Really looking forward to seeing the physical combat part of it here, as they’re going against a different body type here at the collegiate level then they were at high school.

“Love both of them and what they’ve done so far, strength and conditioning. One of the areas for us defensively that we need to, want to get better is third and long defense. It’s an area where they potentially have a chance to impact the game early in the season. They’re going to have to go out there on those opportunities here by the way that they play during the course of training camp.”

Moreover, Josephs was a four-star recruit, and the No. 19 recruit from the State of Georgia in the Class of 2022, according to the On3 Consensus. Additionally, the Kennesaw native was also the No. 23 overall pass rusher, and No. 191 overall recruit in the nation.

As for Pearce, the four-star recruit was the No. 3 recruit out of North Carolina in the Class of 2022. Continuing, Pearce was the No. 13 overall pass rusher in the nation, as well as the No. 122 overall player in the country, according to the On3 Consensus.

Josh Heupel may have a mind for the Tennessee offense, but he recognizes Joshua Josephs and James Pearce will bring some much needed juice to the Volunteers defense. With recruits like the aforementioned pass rushing duo, Tennessee’s future is extremely bright.