In their continuing offseason college football content, ESPN has ranked the top pass rushers in all of college football. Unsurprisingly, Tennessee’s James Pearce landed at the top of the list, following a breakout sophomore season.
Pearce, a former five-star prospect according to On3, filled the shoes of Byron Young — and then some. The 6-5, 242 pound edge rusher exploded onto the scene in the season opener against Virginia, getting home for two sacks. He single-handedly wrecked Spencer Rattler and South Carolina, racking up pressure after pressure. Pearce finished his season strong in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, registering a sack, a forced fumble, and a pick six for good measure.