Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. is one of the five best players in college football entering the 2024 college football season.
That’s according to EA Sports, which released its top 100 player ratings for its highly anticipated “College Football 25” video game set to be released on July 19.
Here’s what to know of where Tennessee ranks in the top 100 player ratings for the soon-to-be-released video game:
REQUIRED READING: Peyton Manning describes emotions of Tennessee baseball title at Manning Passing Academy
Pearce was the only Tennessee player to make the cut, earning a 95 overall rating (out of 100). There were only three players with a higher rating: Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, LSU left tackle Will Campbell and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II, all with 96 ratings.
The Charlotte native was a first team all-SEC selection as a sophomore in 2023, finishing with 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. The former five-star prospect has already shown up on several preseason all-American lists.
Pearce is one of seven players to receive a 95 rating for “College Football 25,” but it designated him as the fourth-best player in the game this year. He had a speed rating of 88 and an acceleration rating of 95. His strength was given an 88 rating and he earned a 91 rating in awareness. EA Sports gave him an 85 rating in jumping.
MORE: Why Nico Iamaleava, James Pearce won’t be at SEC Media Days but these Tennessee players will
New Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava wasn’t among the top 100 players in ‘College Football ‘25,’ but there was a familiar name to Volunteers fans included.
Kaidon Salter, who transferred from Tennessee to Liberty after spring practice in 2021, was deemed the eighth-best quarterback in the country by EA Sports, and the best signal-caller in a Group of Five conference. Salter was given a 90 rating and slotted in at No. 90 in the overall rankings.
Georgia and Alabama led the SEC with six players rated among the top 100 by EA Sports.
