Catastrophic:James Pearce Jr.”I Will No Longer Play Under Josh Heupel”
When Tennessee edge rushers Joshua Josephs and James Pearce Jr. were freshmen during the 2022 season, Josephs compiled more numbers.
That obviously wasn’t the case last year.
While Pearce was racking up 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks a season ago — totals that resulted in plenty of preseason All-America recognition this summer — Josephs didn’t experience a similar catapulting.
In fact, the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder out of North Cobb High School in the Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw became a little anonymous, which didn’t sit well.
Honestly, I felt a little jealousy last year,” Josephs said this past week in a news conference. “My boy James was turning it up, and I felt like I wasn’t playing like I wanted to. My focus now has just been on striving to take that next step.
“I didn’t play at a weight I wanted to play at, and now I’m averaging between 242 and 245. Staying on top of that allows me to play stronger and more physical.”
The Volunteers had Saturday off following Friday night’s scrimmage inside Neyland Stadium and will resume practicing Sunday morning.
Josephs had 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack as a freshman, when current Los Angeles Rams defensive menace Byron Young sat atop the depth chart, while Pearce compiled five tackles that included two for loss, which were both sacks.
There was an uptick in productivity last season for Josephs, who collected 20 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, but it was minuscule compared to the damage Pearce inflicted.
Josh is closer now to what he was when he first got here,” Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner said this past week. “He sort of took a dip last year and went into that sophomore lull, but now he’s coming back more energized, more focused and is showing more attention to detail. I think he’s put on some really good weight. I think he’s improved his play strength. I think he’s improved his power and his explosiveness.
“I’m excited about this Joshua Josephs that’s here right now. I really am.”