‘I don’t think they’re surprised’ – College football insider says ‘warning signs’ about James Pearce were evident at Tennessee
Former Tennessee Vols EDGE James Pearce was arrested on Saturday in south Florida after an altercation that involved former Lady Vols standout Rickea Jackson. Pearce, who posted bond on Sunday, is being charged with five felonies — two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police officers, aggravated stalking, and aggravated […]
Former Tennessee Vols EDGE James Pearce was arrested on Saturday in south Florida after an altercation that involved former Lady Vols standout Rickea Jackson.
Pearce, who posted bond on Sunday, is being charged with five felonies — two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police officers, aggravated stalking, and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.
A new report from ESPN on Monday details the timeline and what went down before and after Pearce’s arrest.
College football insider says the warning signs were there with James Pearce
Before Pearce’s final season at Tennessee, he received some hype as the potential top overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Pearce, though, fell down draft boards due to character concerns.
A pre-draft visit with Pearce left the Atlanta Falcons comfortable enough to select the former Vol with the No. 26 overall pick.
On3’s Chris Low said on Rocky Top Insider’s Low Down on Monday that warning signs with Pearce were evident at Tennessee.
“Sadly, I think a lot of the people around Tennessee who have been around that program for the last couple years — who coached him, played with him, and administrators — I don’t think they’re just 1,000 percent surprised,” said Low. “I think there are other issues, or other warning signs, along the way with James — some anger issues, some things that happened.
“He had an incredible rookie season…And I think a lot of people felt like, and hoped, that some of the things that plagued him, or some of his demons, maybe he was past some of those. But boy, these are troubling charges.”
Pearce will almost certainly face a lengthy suspension from the NFL.
Low speculated that Pearce, depending on how the legal process plays out, could be a facing a year-long suspension.
Pearce, who totaled 10.5 sacks as a rookie in 2025, recently finished third in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Tennessee Volunteers News
New report confirms certain details of former Vol James Pearce’s arrest in Florida
Former Tennessee Vols EDGE James Pearce was arrested on Saturday in Florida.
