NFL scout compares Tennessee Vols star to two-time NFL Pro Bowler
According to ESPN, an NFL scout for an AFC franchise recently compared Tennessee Vols star edge rusher James Pearce to a two-time NFL Pro Bowler. ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid noted on Tuesday that an AFC area scout compared Pearce this summer to New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns. "I thought he (Pearce) […]
According to ESPN, an NFL scout for an AFC franchise recently compared Tennessee Vols star edge rusher James Pearce to a two-time NFL Pro Bowler.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid noted on Tuesday that an AFC area scout compared Pearce this summer to New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns.
"I thought he (Pearce) had a lot of [Brian] Burns to him when he was coming out of Florida State," said the AFC area scout to ESPN.
Burns is a former first round draft pick by the Carolina Panthers who was traded to the Giants earlier this offseason (Burns subsequently signed a five year extension worth $141 million with $87.5 million guaranteed).
Pearce, a former four-star recruit, is considered one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft after a breakout sophomore season in 2023. Last season, Pearce totaled 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and one interception (which was returned for a touchdown).
Interestingly, Pearce, who is from Charlotte, has been mocked to the Panthers in numerous 2025 NFL mock drafts. If the Panthers were to land Pearce in next spring's draft, he'd essentially be a replacement for Burns.
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