The Tennessee Volunteers are rapidly approaching the start of fall camp. However, for the time being, hot take season is still in full swing. Plenty of people expect Nico to be the prince who was promised at QB, but for as much hype as he is getting the best overall player on the team resides on the defensive side of the ball.

James Pearce Jr. announced himself last season as one of the best pass rushers in the country. Racking up 10 sacks in the SEC is not an easy feat, and don’t forget about all the havoc he caused that didn’t go down as an official sack. Multiple mock drafts have Pearce in the top 5, and a good amount even have him being the first overall pick. Safe to say that the expectations for Pearce are lofty, but I think he can meet these expectations and then some.

I do not think it is out of the realm of possibility for Pearce to win the Heisman Trophy. Just imagine for a second that Pearce racks up 15 sacks, 20+ TFLs, and 5 forced fumbles. How could he not at least be in New York as a finalist? I understand those numbers would be something a Tennessee fan has not seen since Reggie White’s senior season, but do they seem unattainable for the dominant at times James Pearce Jr?

Pearce of course has the obstacle of the Heisman essentially being a QB - exclusive award at this point, but Tennessee deserves a Heisman winner at some point since Johnny Majors and Peyton Manning were both robbed of the prestigious award. Pearce can and I think will be an All-American, but a Heisman would make the farce in 1997 come full circle. Just think how funny it would be if Pearce hoists a Heisman with 3+ SEC QBs in the audience. (Beck, Milroe, Ewers) I truly do not think I would be able to contain my laughter if that comes to pass