Tennessee football's James Pearce named best player in college football

Tennessee football is preparing for a bounce-back season in Josh Heupel's fourth season as head coach. The Vols are a fringe playoff team and will look to exceed expectations and earn a spot in this year's expanded 12-team playoff. 

One big improvement the Vols have made this year is on the defensive side of the ball. Tennessee's defense has been a struggle under Heuepel, but that could change this year as the best player in college football is leading it. 

Junior defensive lineman and edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is regarded as one of the top players in college football and will lead the Tennessee defense this year as he looks to guide the Vols to the College Football Playoff and become a top-five pick in next year's NFL Draft. 

Pearce is highly regarded throughout college football. His name has been mentioned near the top of many draft boards and top players to watch in college football, but ESPN has ranked Pearce as the top player in the sport heading into the 2024 season. 

ESPN ranked the top-100 college football players ahead of the 2024 season, and Pearce is number one on the 2024 list, coming in ahead of Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, Colorado corner and wide receiver Travis Hunter, Michigan corner Will Johnson, and Missouri receiver Luther Burden, who rounds out the top five. 

"Entering his third season at Tennessee, the 6-5, 243-pound Pearce is the top pass rusher in the country despite having started only three career games," ESPN writes. "He's projected as a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft and has 16.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in his first two seasons. Pearce was a first-team All-SEC selection last season by both the AP and coaches after ranking fifth nationally with 38 total pressures."

The Vols have some of the best talent in the country coming into the 2024 season. If they can stay healthy and play at a high level, Tennessee might shock some people and have a run similar to the 2022 season.