HOUSTON – Tennessee junior defensive end James Pearce Jr. has been named a semifinalist for the Lombari Award, as announced by the Lombari Award Committee on Thursday.

Pearce Jr. has built off a breakout sophomore season with another impressive campaign thus far in 2024, leading the Volunteers with 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks through eight games.

The Lombardi Award is presented annually to the nation’s best lineman or linebacker and features players across various eligible positions including defensive line, linebacker, offensive line and tight end.

The award was established in 1970, in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. It is presented to outstanding linemen who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field. Furthermore, the award highlights players who are consistently showing the values of strength, agility and football acumen in their respective positions.

Pearce Jr. was among the 90 players on the award’s preseason watch list and is one of just 12 semifinalists to make the cut. He is the sixth player in program history to be named a semifinalist for the prestigious honor, including the second under head coach Josh Heupel, joining offensive tackle Darnell Wright (2022).

The preseason first-team All-American has been especial dominant since SEC play began with six of his 6.5 tackles for loss and all 4.5 of his sacks coming against conference foes.

Pearce Jr. has collected at least a half tackle for loss in five straight games and according to Pro Football Focus, has tallied 36 total pressures this season, which ranks sixth nationally among edge rushers and leads the SEC.

The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has been a game wrecker over UT’s last four games against Arkansas, Florida, Alabama and Kentucky. Pearce Jr. registered a career-best nine tackles at Arkansas with two TFLs before posting seven tackles, half a sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the Vols’ victory over Florida.

Pearce Jr. had another impressive showing in Tennessee’s win over No. 7 Alabama, totaling 1.5 tackles for loss ,1.5 sacks and a season-high 10 total pressures. The junior playmaker added another big second half sack and had five total pressures in UT’s win over Kentucky on Nov. 2 to continue his string of productive performances.

The full list of semifinalists for this year’s Lombardi Award can be seen HERE.