The Tennessee Volunteers could have one player potentially be drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. participated in the NFL scouting combine on Thursday in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Linebackers and defensive linemen were the main story of the NFL combine on Thursday. This past season with the Volunteers, he recorded 38 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection. Pearce Jr. is 6’5″ and weighs 243 lbs.
James Pearce Jr. ran a 40-yard dash during the NFL scouting combine on Thursday. Many people are interested in how prospects run the 40-yard dash during the scouting combine. The former Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman caught a lot of attention during those runs on Thursday.
He ran a 4.50 40-yard dash in his first try and got a 4.47 40-yard dash in his second try. It was the best amongst defensive linemen for the 40-yard dash during the 2024 NFL scouting combine. This is what some of the fans had to say about his 40-yard dash timing:
A lot of people are surprised at what he ran during the 2025 NFL scouting combine. He was already projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. For teams who need a pass rusher, there is no doubt that many teams will have a high-grade on Pearce Jr.