ESPN NFL Draft Analyst: James Pearce is a top-five overall returning player

Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesSometimes you just know — sometimes players just have that look to them. James Pearce has it, and it was very obvious early on. From the very second he took on a full time role to open the 2023 season against Virginia, you knew Tennessee had something special.

Pearce, a former five-star prospect according to On3, had two sacks to start the year against the Cavaliers. You immediately saw an elite first step, incredible speed off the edge and an ability to bend around the corner. Pair all of that with a 6-5, 242 pound frame? That sounds like a top ten pick to me.

ESPN’s Matt Miller has been told the same. Miller called Pearce a ‘top-five…