Rumors James Pearce has character issues?

[pimo1]

Bad enough to drop out of the first round? https://atozsports.com/nashville/vo...s-pearce-nfl-draft-boards-character-concerns/

I for one have never heard anything bad said about the kid, period. He had the one traffic stop but nothing else. No twitter fingers, no demands for money or threats of portalling. It just feels like a hatchet job by some reporter citing unnamed sources with no substantiating facts. Then again that seems to be a winning combo these days.

 

[Carp]

You see a lot of this sort of talk leading up to the draft. Some team is obviously trying to get him to fall to them.

 

[DonDiego]

Well, according to the article, it seems he must have character issues, since he didn't use NIL to try to move to OSU or Alabama. I mean, after all, a premier player that doesn't want to go to one of those schools must have some defect. I'd take a little pay cut to not have to live in a west Alabama sh1thole.

 

[HeuperDrive]

Similar things were said about CJ Stroud last year as well. Turned out to be bunk, and the Texans have zero regrets about ignoring the “character issues” and drafting him.

Teams often do these things to scare off the teams ahead of them, so that the player they want is more likely to fall to them. I’d be very shocked if Pearce drops out of the first round.

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

Don't we all have character issues? lol

 

[SNAFU]

Don't know about character issues. Bruce Feldman, national college football insider, has him #14 on his "Freaks". He ranks players with what he characterizes as having freakish talents.

14. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, edge

He has been productive for a good Vols defense, posting a team-high 13 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 10 QB hurries in 2024. As a sophomore, the 6-5, 243-pounder wowed folks in the Citrus Bowl when he clocked 23 mph on a pick six against Iowa, turning in one of the fastest GPS measurements of any FBS play all season. Vols coaches have told me Pearce is a legit 4.4-caliber talent. He has become a bit of a polarizing prospect, but he should impress in the testing part of the draft process.

 

[Oldvoldad]

Don't we all have character issues? lol

Amen!

 

[UT Hill Man]

He's a good kid!!!

 

[hbvol1982]

The question becomes: What did he learn from it? The laundry list of charges makes the incident a lot more than simply “a traffic stop”. Any team thinking of investing millions in a player has got to have that question answered. Pierce is unquestionably a good player and it’s a positive that he stayed out of trouble post-incident. His interviews will be key. If he shows real contrition his draft status will be fine.

 

[CAVPUT]

He's a good kid!!!
View attachment 723516

Because of a coat and tie?

 

[easttnbuck]

Because of a coat and tie?
View attachment 723524

This made me shake my head laughing

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Sorry I don’t buy it

 

[SpookyAction]

Pearce's downsides are mostly connected to his narrow frame limits his potential to add weight and muscle. He is undersize and not well rounded against the run.

He is the type of player I expect will impress at the Combine. His straight line speed is elite for a pass rusher. I also think his personality during interviews will make him a safe bet for teams.

 

[TAF]

Well then...EVERYBODY KNOWS The NFL is a BASTION of "character"...Right??!!

 

[VOLfrombama]

Lots of rumors and speculation that he was not a consistent presence on TOS. The mods alluded to his attendance and participation as lacking professionalism, specifically citing being on time to team events and such. I assume they meant practice, but they were intentionally vague when commenting.

 

[volnbama_]

There aren’t many choir boys in the NFL so there would have to be real concerns for him to drop. It seems most likely this was leaked by a team last in the first round so they can grab an elite pash rusher

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Now do UGA traffic issues

 

[Zues1]

Here's one thing I know. He's gone almost an entire game I wondered if he was even on the field.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

He needs to add weight and strength. I thought he would bulk up a little more than he did during his time at UT. Great player and frame, but he will have to gain some mass weight for the NFL to be a every down player.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Don't we all have character issues? lol

That's what I was thinking. Some good, some bad.

 

[overseasorange2]

 

[RockyTop140]

He needs to add weight and strength. I thought he would bulk up a little more than he did during his time at UT. Great player and frame, but he will have to gain some mass weight for the NFL to be an every down player.

Yeah I was hoping the same. He still has good raw power for his weight though. Imagine if he added 15-20 pounds.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

I’m sure the defending Super Bowl champions who are in need of an edge rusher would probably love to see him fall.

 

[bpalmer28]

Don't we all have character issues? lol

preach!

 

[Shirleyudontmeanthat]

Sorry I don’t buy it

Why are you sorry ?