Tennessee DC Tim Banks reveals how Vols DL James Pearce has reacted to not getting any sacks in first 2 games of season
Entering the 2024 season, Tennessee Vols junior edge rusher James Pearce was viewed as one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft thanks to a breakout sophomore season that saw the Charlotte native. total 10 sacks and an interception. Pearce, however, is still looking for his first sack of the 2024 season after […]
Entering the 2024 season, Tennessee Vols junior edge rusher James Pearce was viewed as one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft thanks to a breakout sophomore season that saw the Charlotte native. total 10 sacks and an interception.
Pearce, however, is still looking for his first sack of the 2024 season after being held without one through Tennessee's first two games.
Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks was asked by a reporter on Tuesday how Pearce has reacted to not getting a sack so far this season.
Banks quickly pointed out that Pearce hasn't "pouted" about it, instead, he's just happy that Tennessee is 2-0.
"I didn’t even know that, that he didn't have a sack," said Banks. "Because James is playing extremely hard for us. He’s getting a lot of attention, just like we thought he would. So I think as long as he continues to work hard and play hard, I think the sacks will come. He hasn’t pouted about it. He hasn’t said one word about it. I think he’s satisfied that we’re winning. We’re obviously playing at a high level and as long as everybody’s doing that, nobody cares who gets quote-unquote the statistics.”
Pearce and the entire Vols defensive line has an elite winning mindset. It's not about stats, it's not about highlight plays, or seeing your name on ESPN. It's about winning. And right now, Tennessee is winning.
Plus, Pearce is still having a major impact on games. The chaos that he creates up front for opposing offensive lines leads to opportunities for the rest of the defensive line. And it alters the approach of opposing offenses. Teams are trying to get the ball out of their quarterback's hands quickly against the Vols to mitigate the damage that Tennessee's defensive line causes. That in turn helps take the pressure off the Vols' secondary.
The numbers may not be there for Pearce just yet, but his impact on games is absolutely being felt.
