Tennessee Takes First Place Among ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early” All-American Series Teams
ESPN unveiled their 2024 “way-too-early” All-American squads. In the inaugural season of the 12-team College Football Playoff era, Tennessee is predicted to have a successful campaign and fielded two players this past season.
Edge rusher James Pearce Jr., a former first-team defensive end, is the star of the show. Pearce is a breakout star who had a fantastic season with the Vols. An AFC West scout just informed ESPN’s Matt Miller that he thinks Pearce will be the first defensive player picked in the 2024 NFL Draft. He forced a fumble on a strip-sack and intercepted a pass to return it for a touchdown in an amazing performance against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
“Pearce, one of the league’s top NFL draft prospects, returns for his junior season tied with Dallas Turner and Nathaniel Watson for the SEC sacks lead (ten). The 6-5, 242-pound Pearce is extremely quick off the edge and very difficult for a tackle to stop. According to Pro Football Focus, he had 38 total pressures last season, which tied him for fifth place nationally. ESPN on James Pearce Jr.
Parker Brailsford, an Alabama center who transferred from Washington, and Tennessee center Cooper Mays made the second team. Mays has been an essential member of Tennessee’s offensive line for many years, and his early-season absences had an impact. Nico Iamaleava, a redshirt freshman quarterback, will be under his direction next season.
