Current Tennessee Vols standout gets the highest praise in early 2025 mock draft

A to Z Sports' Travis May also projected Pearce to the Panthers at #1 overall in his 2025 mock draft. 

Of course, that's an insanely early projection, as we don't know who is going to be picking at the top of the draft in any given year.  While Carolina was a two-win team last year, the NFL is cyclical, and different teams with varying needs find themselves at the top spot. 

That being said, pass rushers are among the most premium and sought-after commodities in the NFL, so Pearce very well could be attractive to many teams based on that facet alone.  

Of course, Pearce's play on the field will have something to do with that too, and if what he did in 2023 - especially in his last game against Iowa - is any indication, he should be positioned to have a life-changing season in Knoxville this fall.  The talented defender posted 10 sacks with 14.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles last season, along with a 52-yard pick six in the Vols' 35-0 Citrus Bowl romp over the Hawkeyes.  

At the end of the day, mock drafts, especially those before the season, are largely for fun.  But make no mistake, Pearce has the talent to turn many general managers' heads this year and will be doing it at a position that makes them drool. 

Tennessee fans would love to see GMs wiping their mouths with their sleeves while watching the Vols play this fall.