Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. finds himself in legal hot water, facing four charges related to a February 7 incident involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson. The Miami-Dade State Attorney has brought these charges against Pearce Jr., a standout from the University of Tennessee, according to court documents.
At just 22, Pearce Jr. is confronting serious allegations, including three felonies: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence. In a bit of a twist, a fourth charge of felony aggravated stalking has been downgraded to a misdemeanor, and an initial charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer has been dropped.
Following his arrest, Pearce Jr. spent a night in a county correctional center before posting a $20,500 bond to secure his release on February 8.
Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and weighing 243 pounds, Pearce Jr. was a first-round pick for the Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft, selected 26th overall. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season, racking up 10.5 sacks, along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie team.
During his college career at Tennessee, Pearce Jr. was a force to be reckoned with, earning back-to-back First-team All-SEC honors in 2023 and 2024. The Charlotte, North Carolina native's journey from college star to NFL standout has been impressive, but these recent legal challenges cast a shadow over his promising career.