Tennessee makes history as James Pearce is selected in the first round
Tennessee, the self proclaimed “Everything School”, has again showed why they use that moniker as the athletic department again set a new mark.
With James Pearce selected 26th overall to the Atlanta Falcons in the first round, Tennessee has a first round selection in last NFL, NBA and MLB draft.
Pearce burst on the scene in 2023 with 14.5 TFL’s, 10 sacks, an interception, 2 PBU’s and 2 forced fumbles. Pearce’s play had him heading into the 2024 season as a likely top-10 pick in the NFL draft. Pearce didn’t put up as good of numbers in 2024 with 13 TFL’s and 7.5 sacks, 1 PBU, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Pearce’s stock fell as questions grew about his maturity, inconsistent production and it is a deep draft class with edge rushers.
“I just have to keep showing that I’m the best edge in the draft,” Pearce said after his pro day in Knoxville. “They just want to know you. It’s nothing off the wall. They just want to get to know what kind of player and person I am. They ask others about me but they want to hear it from me as well.”
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Pearce is the 48th first round pick in Tennessee football history and it’s the second first round pick in three years in the Josh Heupel era.
Last June, transfer basketball star Dalton Knecht was select in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers as the overall #17 pick. Knecht came out of no where after transferring to Tennessee from Northern Colorado. As a Vol, Knecht averaged 21.7 points a game leading the Vols to the Elite 8.
In July, after leading the Vols to a national title in baseball, Christian Moore was drafted as the 8th overall pick in the Major League draft. In 2024, Moore batted .375, with 34 home runs and 74 RBI’s. Moore hit for the cycle to open the College World Series in a come from behind win over FSU that propelled Tennessee to the national championship.
