KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. added to his impressive list of preseason accolades on Monday when he was named to the 2024 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List.

The talented junior edge rusher is one of 50 total players, including just nine on the defensive side of the ball, tabbed as players to watch for the prestigious award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top college football player.

Pearce Jr. was recognized as a Walter Camp Football Foundation Preseason First-Team All-American earlier this summer, as well, following a breakout sophomore season in which he earned first-team All-SEC honors after racking up 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.

The Charlotte, North Carolina, native also added two forced fumbles, a pass breakup and an interception return for a touchdown last year and enters this season as projected top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The watch list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in early November and three finalists will be announced on Nov. 26. The 2024 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 133 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on ESPN’s College Football Awards Show on Dec. 12.

The complete list of 2024 Walter Camp Award Preseason Watch List can be found HERE.

2024 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors

John Campbell Jr., OL, R-Sr.
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Nico Iamaleava, QB, R-Fr.
Maxwell Award Watch List

Lance Heard, OL, So.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Cooper Mays, C, Sr.
First-Team All-American (Walter Camp)
First-Team All-SEC (Media)
Second-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Phil Steele)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Outland Trophy Watch List

Bru McCoy, WR, R-Sr.
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Sr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)

James Pearce Jr., DE, Jr.
First-Team All-American (Athlon, Phil Steele, Walter Camp)
First-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media, Phil Steele, Walter Camp)
Walter Camp Award Watch List
Lott Trophy Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Keenan Pili, LB, Sr.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Jackson Ross, P, So.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)

Dylan Sampson, RB, Jr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)

Javontez Spraggins, OL, Sr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Omari Thomas, DL, Sr.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Squirrel White, WR, Jr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Phil Steele)