Former Tennessee football standout James Pearce Jr. is ready to begin his rookie season in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Pearce with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he could immediately help the Falcons' defense.
Falcons second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr shared his thoughts on Pearce throughout training camp so far, highlighting his hard work and noticeable love for football.
"I noticed his love for the game," Penix shared about Pearce. "He works extremely hard each and every day. He comes out here and you see him, just sweat. And he’s out there giving 100% each and every play, whatever happens after the play."
“I noticed his love for the game. He works extremely hard each each every day. He comes out here and you see him, just sweat. And he’s out there giving 100% each and every play, whatever happens after the play.” Michael Penix Jr on James Pearce Jr pic.twitter.com/SRKJtR3Y2r
— Arkesh Ray (@arkeshrayyyy) August 4, 2025
Pearce has been working out with edge rusher Leonard Floyd, who signed a one-year $10 million contract with the Falcons this Spring.
Floyd is a former Georgia Bulldog and the No. 9 overall draft pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Pearce shared how significant an impact Floyd has had throughout the offseason.
"Flo's my guy since day one, even when I was training in the off-season, he would call me sometimes just to check in," Pearce shared. "So that's my guy. That's my brother."
"Just how much I can learn from him, he's been in the game a long time," Pearce continued. "So the chance that God lined it up for me to be able to play with him in his first year here and my first year here is just, I don't question it."
The Falcons are hoping to rebuild their defense with Raheem Morris at the helm. Morris has experience running great defenses and developing great defensive players. If he's given enough time, we could see Pearce become the next great edge rusher for the Falcons.
Atlanta's first preseason game will take place this Friday at 6:00 PM against the Detroit Lions. This will be one of three preseason games for Pearce to make his mark on the Falcons' coaching staff and help earn playing time ahead of the regular season.