James Pearce Jr., nicknamed "Juice," is a professional American football edge rusher for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. Born on October 12, 2003, in Charlotte, North Carolina, he stands 6'5" tall and weighs 243 pounds, combining elite size with exceptional athleticism, including a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and the fastest 10-yard split among defensive ends at the NFL Combine.[2][4][6] At Chambers High School, Pearce led his team to four consecutive North Carolina Class 4A state championship games, winning back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. As a senior, he recorded 14.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two safeties, and two interceptions, earning offers from 18 colleges, including 13 Power 5 programs, before committing to the University of Tennessee.[1] Over three seasons (2022-2024) with the Tennessee Volunteers, Pearce appeared in 39 games with 12 starts, amassing 71 tackles (44 solo), 29.5 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks (10th in school history), 27 quarterback hurries, one interception returned for a touchdown, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He generated 113 quarterback pressures per PFF and earned back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors—the first Tennessee defensive lineman to do so since John Henderson in 2000-01. In 2023, his breakout sophomore year, he tallied 27 tackles, 10 sacks, and 14.5 tackles for loss; in 2024, he added 38 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik, Lombardi, and Walter Camp awards.[1][2][5] Forgoing his senior year, Pearce was selected by the Falcons with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to bolster their pass rush. As of early 2026, he remains an active rookie, noted for his explosiveness, scheme versatility in 3-4 or 4-3 defenses, and potential as a consistent disruptor.[2][4][7]