Breaking: James Pearce Jr., the SEC’s top defensive end, abandons his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs after turning down the Oklahoma and Longhornss

In a stunning development that could send shockwaves through the SEC and beyond, James Pearce Jr.—widely considered the top defensive end in the Southeastern Conference—has officially decommitted from the Georgia Bulldogs. The announcement, made early Wednesday morning via a brief social media statement, comes just weeks after Pearce turned down late pushes from both the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns.

This reversal not only throws Georgia’s 2025 defensive line plans into disarray but reopens one of the most high-profile recruitments in the country. As a junior who tore through SEC offensive lines in 2024 and was a projected first-round NFL Draft pick in 2026, Pearce’s decision will inevitably alter the trajectory of the programs involved.

Pearce’s decision was made public in a 47-word message posted to his X (formerly Twitter) account:

“After deep reflection and conversations with those closest to me, I’ve decided to decommit from the University of Georgia. I have the utmost respect for Coach Smart and the entire Dawg family. This is not a decision I take lightly. Thank you for understanding.”

The abruptness of the announcement caught both fans and insiders off guard. Pearce had given no indication during spring practices or media availability that he was reconsidering his future in Athens. He had reaffirmed his loyalty to Georgia as recently as late April following speculation that Texas and Oklahoma had reached out with NIL overtures and fresh promises of defensive leadership.

Pearce’s rise has been meteoric. The Charlotte, North Carolina native originally committed to Tennessee out of high school in the class of 2022. He quickly evolved into one of the most feared edge rushers in college football. In 2024, Pearce posted 13.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles—numbers that ranked among the best in the nation and earned him All-SEC and second-team All-American honors.

When he entered the transfer portal in January 2025, it sent the college football world into a frenzy. Pearce cited “a desire for a fresh challenge” as the reason for his departure from Knoxville, and top-tier programs lined up to make their pitch. Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma emerged as the front-runners, with Georgia ultimately landing his commitment in mid-February.

For head coach Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, this is more than just a recruiting loss—it’s a fundamental shift in what they believed was a solved equation for their 2025 defensive front.

With longtime contributors like Mykel Williams and Nazir Stackhouse off to the NFL, Pearce was seen as the heir apparent—an experienced, explosive player around whom Georgia could rebuild its front seven. Insiders described him as the “alpha” in spring meetings, someone expected to take on a leadership role both on the field and in the locker room.

One staffer told DawgsDaily, “He was already mentoring the younger edge guys. This wasn’t just a rental. We thought he was the foundation.”

Pearce’s departure now forces Georgia to fast-track younger, less-proven talent into roles they may not yet be ready to handle. Sophomore Gabe Harris and redshirt freshman Samuel M’Pemba, both former blue-chip prospects, now face increased pressure to deliver in a hurry.

Pearce’s decommitment instantly breathes new life into his recruitment, and two programs are especially eager to re-enter the conversation: Oklahoma and Texas.

The Sooners were reportedly in the final two alongside Georgia during Pearce’s decision process in February. Brent Venables, a defensive-minded head coach with deep ties to elite pass-rushers, had made Pearce a priority transfer target. According to sources close to the program, Venables continued to maintain contact with Pearce’s camp even after his Georgia commitment, fully aware that the volatility of the transfer portal left the door slightly ajar.

Texas, meanwhile, was the late dark horse in the original sweepstakes. Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski offered Pearce a chance to anchor a defense poised to make noise in their first official season as members of the SEC. UT boosters reportedly made a lucrative NIL offer rumored to exceed seven figures—an indication of how serious the Longhorns were about landing the edge rusher.

While Pearce did not mention Name, Image, and Likeness considerations in his announcement, it’s difficult to ignore the financial dynamics at play. Industry sources say Pearce received significant NIL offers from multiple collectives, with Georgia’s package among the most structured and performance-based.

Texas and Oklahoma, however, are known to be more aggressive and flexible with their NIL strategies. Texas, in particular, has shown a willingness to overdeliver for top talent, with its donor-driven collectives reportedly offering Pearce both financial incentives and professional development resources tied to NFL readiness.

One anonymous NIL executive told The Athletic, “James is a game-changer, and everyone knows that. His market value is north of $2 million over two years. Whatever school lands him next is going to get a bargain, even if they break their budget.”

Despite the drama surrounding his commitment status, Pearce’s on-field dominance remains unquestioned. NFL scouts view him as a first-round lock if he replicates or improves upon his 2024 production in the upcoming season.

“He has that bend you can’t teach,” said an AFC scout. “His hands are violent, his motor never shuts off, and he’s got that Dawg in him—literally and figuratively.”

Wherever Pearce lands next, the expectation is that he will immediately become one of the top defensive players in the country and a leader within his new program. The longer-term implications for his draft stock appear minimal, provided he stays healthy and produces.

Pearce has not indicated a timeline for his next commitment, though sources suggest he could make a decision before summer workouts begin in June. Oklahoma and Texas are believed to be the front-runners, but don’t count out other high-profile suitors like Alabama, Florida State, and even USC, all of whom showed interest in Pearce at various points during his transfer journey.

Additionally, Pearce’s former team, Tennessee, is said to have mended fences with his camp. While a return to Knoxville appears unlikely at this stage, stranger things have happened in the transfer portal era.

For Georgia, the immediate focus shifts to damage control. Expect Coach Smart to address the situation publicly at the upcoming SEC spring meetings. The Bulldogs will also likely become more aggressive in the portal, especially if another veteran edge rusher becomes available.

As one Georgia insider put it: “We lost a warhorse, but this program has been here before. We’ll reload.”

James Pearce Jr.’s decommitment from Georgia is emblematic of a new era in college football—one where no commitment is truly final, NIL deals are both leverage and loyalty tests, and players of Pearce’s caliber can change the direction of a program overnight.

This saga is far from over. What’s clear is that the battle for James Pearce Jr. just reignited, and every school in need of an elite pass rusher has been placed on high alert.

For now, all eyes are on Pearce as he contemplates his next move—one that could determine not just his college legacy, but the defensive identity of a national title contender.