On Thursday, February 27, defensive lineman and linebackers put their expertise on show on the NFL scouting mix. A number of gamers made a robust impression in entrance of scouts.Â
None larger than Tenneesse’s James Pearce Jr. At Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, the 21-year-old ran a 4.47 40-yard sprint. That was the quickest time of any defensive lineman this yr. Pearce Jr. undoubtedly elevated his draft inventory with that efficiency.
James Pearce Jr. placed on a present with a 4.47 40-yard sprint on Thursday
Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. runs the primary sub-4.5 40 with a 4.47u 🔥
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/b11jEyxYBi
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2025
After three seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers, James Pearce Jr. declared for the draft following his 2024 marketing campaign. Pearce Jr. got here into Tennessee because the #11 ranked participant within the class of 2022. He performed in 39 video games and completed with (19.5) profession sacks. His (10.0) sacks in 2023 led the SEC. In 2024, Pearce Jr. completed with a team-high (7.5) sacks.
Coming into the scouting mix, Pearce Jr. was broadly seen as a late first-round prospect. On Thursday, Pearce Jr. ran two 40-yard dashes. His first was a formidable 4.50 however his second time was 4.47. That was the one sub-4.5 40-yard sprint by any defensive lineman. James Pearce Jr. did what he wanted to face out among the many relaxation. Now, scouts across the league consider he could possibly be a top-12 decide in April.
Pearce Jr.’s 4.47 40-yard sprint is the eighth quickest time by a DL in mix historical past. He joins former Tennesee Volunteer DL Byron Younger who ran a 4.43 40-yard sprint on the 2023 mix. That 4.43 40-yard remains to be the second-fastest time ever by a defensive lineman. James Pearce Jr. put himself in stable firm along with his 4.47 40-yard sprint. He elevated his draft inventory and has put himself in a posistion to be a top-12 decide.
