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Dylan Sampson had been the lone junior from Tennessee's 2024 roster to leave the Volunteers early for the NFL. Then the obvious happened.

Tennessee junior defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. declared for the 2025 NFL draft on Wednesday. He will forgo his senior season in 2025 with the Vols. Pearce Jr. is projected as a first-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

Only 55 underclassmen are in the 2025 NFL Draft prospect pool, but that number could grow next week. Pro prospects for Notre Dame and Ohio State are allowed to declare

Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced Wednesday. VFL🧡 pic.twitter.com/052zn6diUn— JCP (@JamesPearceJr10) January 16, 2025 The 21-year-old is projected to be a first-round pick and one of the top pass-rushers to come off the board.

Seventy underclassmen have declared for the 2025 NFL draft, which begins April 24 in Green Bay. See who is on the list.

NFL draft is starting to take shape. On Thursday, Dane Brugler of The Athletic shared a list of 70 underclassmen who have declared for the