2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Josh Pearcy, EDGE, Rice

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Josh Pearcy #12
School (Code)	TXRI
Class Yr	rJr
Height, Weight	6015, 242 lbs
40 Yd Dash	4.82e
Position/Depth	1st/EDGE
Honors/Captainship	2x Team Captain, Lombardi Award Watch List, C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
Season Viewed (yr)	2022, 2023
Games Watched	LASW (22’), ALBI (22’), CTUN (23’), FLSO (23’)
Scout Name / Date	Ian McNice, 10/12/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	6 GP, 25 TKL, 5.5 TFL, 1.0 SK
2022	13 GP, 50 TKL, 10.0 TFL, 6.5 SK, 1 FF
2021	12 GP, 57 TKL, 7.5 TFL, 4.0 SK, 1 FF
2020	5 GP, 16 TKL, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 SK, 1 INT

Player Summary:

Redshirt Junior from Moorestown, New Jersey. He had a decorated career at Moorestown HS amassing 30 TFL’s, 5 FF, 4 INT’s, and 20 career TD’s while also competing in track. He was a member of a sprint medley relay team that finished 4th at the 2017 New Balance National Championships. He possesses poor height, marginal weight, with above-average arm length and AA. He plays with excellent lateral quickness, good flexibility, COD, and average initial quickness. Solid getting out of his stance, he primarily uses a 2 pt stance using efficient footwork to get upfield with solid quickness. Marginal UOH in his initial rush, he is inactive at the POA when he needs to counter the strike of OT’s. Struggles to refit his hands below the OL’s when locked up, marginal leverage with hands allow his matchup to easily deflect any moves made. Solid converting speed to power when he lands a double strike on the OT, plays with effective pad level and leg drive to create penetration in the pocket. Good effective bend when using a speed rush on the edge, he dips is inside shoulder while adequately ripping his hand through to clear himself of the OT. Marginal as a looper and crasher in twist game due to taking an inefficient path, not coming tight enough giving the OL room to pick it up. He is dependable setting the edge vs outside runs, he uses good lateral quickness to stretch the play towards the sideline while using leg drive to minimize the OL’s push. Solid reading keys of pulling OG on power plays, he likes to be aggressive by meeting OL in the backfield and throwing his shoulder with force to alter their path. It is crucial he creates strong contact in these situations to muck up the backfield for the RB so he cannot attack the gap he vacated. Displays good mental processing and discipline by consistently leveraging his gap and staying home vs naked bootlegs.

Scheme Fit:

Wide 9 in 3-4 front.

Power Statement:

Josh Pearcy plays with impeccable effort and pursuit. He displays bend and length that should intrigue decision makers at the next level. Improving his UOH as a pass rusher, both in his initial strike and finishing moves would improve his stock drastically.