This week, reports and rumors have been flying when it comes to Tennessee football standout James Pearce Jr. Seemingly out of nowhere, word has spread that Pearce has 'character issues' and NFL teams are worried about taking a chance on him in the first round.
What? Just a few weeks ago, Pearce was in the conversation to be among the Top 15 picks. Now, though, there's some belief that he might fall to Day 2 once late April gets here, which would be a stunner. After back-to-back strong campaigns for Tennessee, Pearce is ready for what should be an exciting pro career, but some people are trying to bring him down.
Former star Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge doesn't want to hear about any of that. On Wednesday night, Ainge didn't hold back with a social media post trying to defend the Vols pass-rusher. Straight up, Ainge believes the narrative surrounding Pearce's name is total BS:
James Pearce doesn’t want to talk to the media. Or me. Or you. Dude just wants to play football and he’s elite at it. If I’m an NFL team, sign me up for the baller that just loves football. People calling that “character” issues. 🙄🙄🙄
— Erik Ainge (@ErikAinge3) February 19, 2025
Erik Ainge is sick of seeing the negative talk surrounding James Pearce Jr.
Ainge from the top rope. This all started with Pearce starting to slide down in mock drafts, which a lot of people weren't expecting. Then in an interview with Walter Football, an anonymous AFC staffer called out Pearce's character and said that the UT stud may be wiped off his team's board completely.
That alone was pretty darn head-turning. Pearce, it appears, is going to have to work overtime to clear his name a bit once the NFL Combine arrives. There, he'll be able to meet with scouts and GMs, while he'll also surely be asked about the recent reports that have dropped.
Pearce was never known for causing issues with Tennessee on the field or in the locker room. In 2023, he was arrested following a traffic stop, but the charges he was facing were eventually dropped not too long after that incident.
Ainge, who tossed for 8,700 yards and 72 touchdowns during his Tennessee playing days, has no doubt in his mind that Pearce is going to be a gamer at the next level. Ainge is confident whoever drafts Pearce will be getting a total playmaker - he also thinks the character concerns are being blown totally out of proportion.