There's still one more game left in the 2024 college football season, but plenty of people have turned their focus to the 2025 NFL Draft. For the Tennessee Volunteers, it's not going to take long for a defensive standout to hear his name called once the first round arrives.
Throughout the season, James Pearce Jr. cemented himself as one of the best pass-rushers in the country. He was the heart and soul of the Tennessee defense too, making countless plays for defensive coordinator Tim Banks and head man Josh Heupel.
Now, Pearce is preparing to put on a show at his Tennessee Pro Day and the NFL Combine. Leading up to things, plenty of analysts think he's a lock to be a Top 15 pick. This includes CBS' Mike Renner, who has Pearce going No. 11 overall to the 49ers in his latest mock draft.
Tennessee pass-rusher James Pearce Jr. lands with the 49ers in new mock draft
"The 49ers defensive line took a massive step backwards from their Super Bowl form this season," Renner wrote. "James Pearce Jr. immediately brings some necessary juice that they've been missing. He should light up the NFL Scouting Combine and plays the run well for an undersized defender."
Per Renner, Pearce will end up being the third pass-rusher taken off the board in the first round - he has Penn State's Abdul Carter going No. 2 overall to the Cleveland Browns, while Georgia's Mykel Williams will get snatched up by the Saints at No. 9.
This past fall, Pearce indeed was brilliant for the Vols, finishing with 38 total tackles and 7.5 sacks. The season before, he posted 27 total tackles and a career-best 9.5 sacks. He was born to bring down quarterbacks and following his standout playing days in Knoxville, the NFL is calling.
San Francisco's defense looked rough in '24, which is why bringing in someone like Pearce would make a ton of sense for the NFC West side. If the 49ers pass up on the chance to grab him at No. 11, it won't take long for a different team to make the call to send his name in.