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James Pearce: 4-star DE makes surprise decision to sign with SEC school
By Jake Rill
Published:
James Pearce wasn’t supposed to pick a school during this week’s early signing period. Tennessee changed that on Wednesday.
Pearce decided to commit and sign with the Vols on the 1st day of the early signing period, which was announced by the school. The 4-star edge rusher had more than a dozen offers, which included other SEC schools such as Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
However, Pearce picked Tennessee over all of them, giving the Vols a big, unexpected boost to their 2022 recruiting class. He is the No. 22 edge rusher and No. 307 overall recruit in the class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.
WELCOME TO ROCKY TOP.
? ????? ??????• Defensive End
• Charlotte, NC.@JamesPearceJr10 ╳ #eVOLution22 pic.twitter.com/m49RGFUT2U— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 15, 2021
Pearce currently attends Julius L. Chambers High School in Charlotte, N.C. He made 3 unofficial visits to Tennessee during the 2021 season, the most recent of which came on Nov. 13.
The Vols have now had 19 players in the 2022 class sign their national letters of intent to join the program. Tennessee is ranked No. 16 in the 247Sports Composite class rankings, which has it at No. 7 in the SEC.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
