Former Tennessee Vol James Pearce, Jr. hits an impressive mark that no rookie has reached since Micah Parsons

The VFL has had a terrific rookie season for the Atlanta Falcons.

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Falcons rookie edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. just put the finishing touches on one of the best rookie seasons by a defender in years.

After a pair of outstanding years for the Tennessee Vols from 2023-24, Pearce, Jr. was one of the most talented and accomplished pass rushers coming into the 2025 NFL Draft last offseason. Despite that talent, he found himself slipping into the late stages of the first round. The Falcons stopped that slide by trading back into the first round and snaring Pearce, Jr. with the No. 26 overall pick.

Turns out, that was a very good move. Pearce, Jr. tallied two sacks in the Falcons’ season-ending 19-17 win over thew New Orleans Saints, upping his season sack total to 10.5.

According to the Falcons, his 10.5 sacks an accomplishment that no rookie has reached since Micah Parsons in 2021.

Falcons rookie EDGE James Pearce, Jr. has most sacks by a rookie since Micah Parsons in 2021

Parsons was selected in the first round of the draft by the Dallas Cowboys back in 2021, and he went on to quickly establish himself as one of the best young players in the league. He notched 13 sacks in 2021, and he would go on to 39.5 more over the next three seasons for America’s Team.

Pearce, Jr. was the second edge rusher taken by Atlanta in the 2025 NFL Draft. Georgia EDGE Jalon Walker went to Atlanta at No. 15. However, Pearce, Jr. proved to be the more productive player when it came to getting opposing quarterbacks on the ground, which is what edge rushers are primarily tasked to handle. Walker finished with 5.5 sacks.

Pearce, Jr. also had a higher pressure rate going into Sunday, per Pro Football Focus. Pearce, Jr. had 45 pressures in 360 pass rushing snaps (12.5%) compared to Walker’s 29 in 282 pass rushing snaps (10.3%).

Parsons explosive rookie season was the start of big things for him in Dallas. Pearce, Jr.’s future in Atlanta also appears bright as well.

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