'Nobody cares after the first game': Vols pushing 'man-child' James Pearce Jr. to build off fast start
James Pearce Jr.’s season got off to a fast start Saturday in Tennessee’s 49-13 win over Virginia. The sophomore edge rusher had a pair of two sacks in the first quarter, using an inside move and a speed rush to turn heads at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
“James played really well early in the football game,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said after the game.
Now the job for defensive coordinator Tim Banks is to make sure it’s more than just a start for Pearce, the former On3 five-star prospect.
“Obviously we’re very confident in James,” Banks said during his press conference on Tuesday. “His growth has been great for us. We saw it last year, him starting to make some strides and he made some even better strides during the spring. So we’re not surprised with the display that he put on this weekend.
“But just like I told him, I’ll tell you the same, nobody cares after the first game. You gotta continue to put it on tape, week in and week out.”
Up next for the ninth-ranked Vols (1-0) is the home-opener against Austin Peay on Saturday (5 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+/SEC Network+).
James Pearce Jr. was a 5-star On3 prospect in 2022 class
The lack of surprise on the Tennessee defense didn’t stop with Banks. Defensive back Wesley Walker and linebacker Aaron Beasley said the same Saturday afternoon.
“I am honestly not surprised at all about what he did,” Walker said. “In the offseason, he made huge jumps both with his character and physically.”
“I’m honestly not surprised with the game he had,” Beasley added. “I’ve seen James grow as a player on the field and off the field, and he’s taken a huge step. I’m not surprised by his game at all.”
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Pearce, the 6-foot-5, 242-pounder out of Charlotte, N.C., was the No. 11 overall prospecting in the On3 ratings in the 2022 class. He was ranked No. 2 among edge rushers and No. 1 overall in the state of North Carolina.
He appeared in 13 games last season, finishing the year with two sacks and five total tackles. He finished the Virginia game with three tackles, the two sacks and two quarterback hits.
“I always feel great to be productive on the field,” Pearce said on Saturday, “to fly around with your brothers and win.”
Up Next: No. 9 Tennessee vs. Austin Peay, Saturday, 5 p.m. ET
The changes aren’t just on the field. They started in the weight room.
“His body has changed,” Walker said. “He’s like a man-child out there. He’s got so many abilities, so I wasn’t surprised at all. I am just going to keep encouraging him to keep going and not be satisfied. Keep going because we got stuff we got to do.”
That encouragement from his teammate helped Pearce grow his game during the offseason.
“Just not having my brother giving up on me today and everyday,” Pearce added.
Just being focused with them.”
What he showed early in the win over Virginia is why Banks and the Vols recruited Pearce to Tennessee. Now they’re just working toward seeing more of it.
“He’s a great kid who’s only gonna get better,” Banks said.
