Vols edge rusher James Pearce hasn't declared for the NFL Draft yet, could he return to Tennessee in 2025?
The Tennessee Vols' 2024 season ended nearly a month ago, but star edge rusher James Pearce hasn't declared for the 2025 NFL Draft yet. Entering his junior season in 2024, Pearce was viewed as a potential top five selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Recent mock drafts, however, have Pearce falling to the middle of […]
The Tennessee Vols' 2024 season ended nearly a month ago, but star edge rusher James Pearce hasn't declared for the 2025 NFL Draft yet.
Entering his junior season in 2024, Pearce was viewed as a potential top five selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Recent mock drafts, however, have Pearce falling to the middle of the first round due to concerns over his ability to defend the run.
It is possible that Pearce could return to Tennessee for his senior season in 2025 in an effort to boost his draft stock?
You never say never, but it certainly seems unlikely.
If Pearce is selected with the No. 15 overall selection (or in that range), he'd likely receive a four-year deal worth around $17 million (Laiatu Latu, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, received a rookie contract worth $17 million over four years).
It wouldn't make sense for Pearce to pass up a contract worth $4.25 million a year to return to Tennessee to boost his draft stock. That's in part because it's unlikely that Pearce would actually boost his draft stock. The concern isn't over his ability to get to the quarterback — he's proved he can effectively and consistently create pressure. The concern is over his run defense. And unfortunately for Pearce, that's something he's going to have to prove he can handle at the next level. If he returned to Tennessee, he'd be used the same way he was in 2024 — as a pass rusher who is part of a heavy defensive line rotation. Pearce wouldn't really have the opportunity to prove his worth as a run defender if he returned in 2025 because that's just not how he's been used by the Vols.
Some fans have brought up the idea of luring Pearce back to Tennessee with a lucrative NIL deal. That also seems like an unlikely scenario. It would take at least $4 million to get Pearce back (and that would just be a one year deal, so it's not like Pearce would be gaining anything financially). I can't see Tennessee offering that kind of NIL deal to any edge rusher. There aren't a lot of confirmed reports about the actual details of NIL deals, but I've heard through sources in college football that premier edge rushers can command around $1 million for a season.
It feels like it's just a matter of time before Pearce declares for the 2025 NFL Draft. Vols fans certainly shouldn't get their hopes up that he returns to Knoxville next fall.
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