James Cecil Pearce Jr. is an American defensive end who played three years on the Tennessee Volunteers college football team from 2022 to 2024. He attended Julius L. Chambers High School, where he also played high school football. He led his high school team to four straight North Carolina Class 4A State Championship games. His team also won the state championship twice in 2019 and 2020. He was selected as a five-star defensive line prospect after his high school career.
James Pearce Jr. started his collegiate football career with the Tennessee Volunteers as a true freshman in the 2022 season. Notably, he became the top edge rusher in the SEC as a sophomore in 2023. He has earned first All-SEC honors twice in his career in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He also participated in the 2024 Citrus Bowl game with his teammates. Throughout James Pearce Jr.'s collegiate football career so far, he has participated in 39 games and has made a total of 71 combined tackles in his career, along with 19.5 sacks, as per Sports Reference. Despite having one year of eligibility left, Pearce Jr. declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, as per ESPN.
James Pearce Jr.'s nationality
James Pearce Jr. hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, United States.
He was born on October 12, 2003, which makes him 21 years old as of December 2024.
James Pearce Jr.'s hometown
James Pearce Jr.'s hometown is Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, as per Tennessee Football.
He was a student at Julius L. Chambers High School and also represented his high school football team, the Chambers Cougars, as per MaxPreps. There, he played under coach Glenwood Ferebee. His biggest achievement in his high school football career is leading his team to four straight North Carolina Class 4A State Championship games. Out of these, he won the championship twice in 2019 and 2020, respectively, as per Tennessee Football. His football skills led him to be awarded with the Second-team All-State selection honors from HighSchoolOT.com in 2020, as per Tennessee Football. James Pearce Jr. also participated in the Carolina Bowl All-Star game in 2021. He was considered to be the top player from North Carolina and the 6th best edge-rusher, according to On3. He was also chosen as a five-star defensive line prospect from Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, as per Tennessee Football. He graduated from high school in 2022. Following the end of James Pearce Jr.'s high school football career, he chose the Tennessee Volunteers and started his college football career with them.
Also Read: Why Was James Pearce Jr Arrested?
FAQ's on James Pearce Jr.
A. James Pearce Jr. is 21 years old, as of Apri 2025.
A. James Pearce Jr. weighs 243 lbs (111 kg).
A. James Pearce Jr. went to the Julius L. Chambers High School.
A. James Pearce Jr. has achieved 19.5 sacks in 39 games as of April 2025.
