Sleeper Watch: Defenders Who Deserve More Attention in 2025, Including Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, attention turns to two standout defensive players from smaller schools: Darius Alexander, a defensive tackle from the University of Toledo, and David Walker, an edge rusher from Central Arkansas, and to linebacker James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee. 

Darius Alexander – Toledo’s Defensive Powerhouse

Darius Alexander’s football journey began at Wayne High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he earned accolades such as the Summit Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Despite limited recruitment offers, he committed to the University of Toledo, redshirting in 2019. 

Over the next five years, Alexander developed into a formidable defensive presence. In his senior season, he recorded 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, earning Second-Team All-MAC honors. A highlight of his college career was a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Game Above Sports Bowl against Pittsburgh. 

Physical Attributes and Combine Performance

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 305 pounds, Alexander possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism. At the NFL Combine, he recorded a 4.95-second 40-yard dash, a 31.5-inch vertical jump, and a 9-ffot-3 broad jump. His arm length measures 34 inches, and he has a wingspan of 82¼ inches. These metrics contributed to a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.72 out of 10, ranking him among the top defensive tackle prospects. 

NFL Draft and Prospects

The New York Giants selected Alexander with the 65th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Giants view him as a potential starter alongside Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence, aiming to bolster their defensive front. Alexander’s explosive power and agility make him a promising addition to the team’s defensive scheme.

David Walker – Central Arkansas’ Defensive Dynamo

David Walker began his collegiate career at Division II Southern Arkansas University before transferring to Central Arkansas. At Central Arkansas, he became a three-time All-American and three-time conference Defensive Player of the Year. In his senior year, he recorded 68 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles, earning the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the FCS.

Athletic Profile and Combine Metrics

Walker stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 263 pounds. At the NFL Combine, he posted a 4.69-second 40-yard dash, a 35-inch vertical jump, and completed 26 bench press reps. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was 8.62 out of 10, indicating exceptional athleticism for his position.

Draft Selection and NFL Outlook

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Walker with the 121st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. His relentless pass rush and versatility make him a valuable addition to the Buccaneers’ defensive lineup. Walker’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses could see him become a key contributor in Tampa Bay’s defense.

The rise of players like Alexander and Walker from smaller programs highlights the wealth of talent present in the collegiate football landscape. Their success serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes and underscores the importance of scouting beyond traditional powerhouse schools.

James Pearce Jr. – Tennessee’s Prototype Pass Rusher Makes the Leap

In a draft class packed with trench talent, James Pearce Jr. stood out as one of the most explosive and complete edge defenders available. A two-time First-Team All-SEC selection and the heartbeat of Tennessee’s pass rush, Pearce elevated the Volunteers’ defense with a rare blend of speed, technique, and physical dominance. He wasn’t just productive—he was disruptive in ways that changed offensive game plans. 

And now, with his name called at 26th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Pearce becomes the latest Volunteer to transition from Neyland Stadium stardom to an NFL front seven centerpiece.

What separated Pearce from the pack wasn’t just raw stats—it was the way he won. His first-step quickness made tackles panic, and his ability to bend and flatten around the arc reminded scouts of premier-level NFL edge rushers. 

He pairs that speed with violent hands and a high motor, often stringing multiple pass rush moves together to keep blockers guessing. Pearce consistently wrecked pockets, forced hurried throws, and drew double-teams that freed up teammates. In an SEC loaded with NFL-ready offensive lines, Pearce didn’t just hold his own—he dominated.

The Falcons targeted Pearce as a priority from the start, looking to inject a young, game-wrecking presence into a pass rush that lacked edge consistency in 2024. With their 26th overall pick, they landed a defender who not only projects as a future starter, but who could immediately rotate into sub-packages on passing downs. 

Pearce joins a rebuilt Atlanta front that includes veteran leaders and recent draftees, giving the team a hybrid threat who can rush standing up or with his hand in the dirt. His versatility fits perfectly with the modern 3-4/4-3 hybrid defenses now standard across the league.

Pearce’s ascension reinforces the University of Tennessee’s growing reputation as a pipeline for high-level NFL defenders. 

Under the current coaching regime, the Volunteers have developed multiple front-seven talents into draftable assets, and Pearce’s first-round selection is a testament to the program’s focus on developing pass-rushing technique, strength conditioning, and football IQ. He’s not just a reflection of his own talent—he’s the product of a system that’s been quietly reloading talent and turning it loose on Saturdays. Now, that same energy is headed to Sundays in Atlanta.

As Tennessee fans track these emerging defensive stars, many are also exploring the best betting apps in Tennessee to engage more deeply with the upcoming NFL season.

Breaking Stereotypes and Earning Their Spot the Hard Way

Darius Alexander and David Walker didn’t come from college football’s high-gloss factories. There were no ESPN hype machines, no national title stages, no Power Five pipelines pushing them to the top of mock drafts. 

What they had instead was undeniable tape, elite physical profiles, and a motor that never quit—each rep and snap carrying the weight of having to prove they belonged.

Darius Alexander’s raw power at the point of attack and rare athleticism for a 305-pound tackle weren’t cultivated in a spotlight. They were forged in the MAC trenches, where he developed every down into a film clip that screamed NFL potential. The Giants didn’t take him at No. 65 overall to develop slowly—they saw a savage interior disruptor who could step in and give Dexter Lawrence a legitimate running mate on Day 1.

David Walker’s story is even more defiant. From Division II to the FCS and now to the pros, he has spent his career eating up blocks, shedding doubles, and tearing through offensive lines with a first step that translates no matter the level. 

Walker’s path to Tampa Bay wasn’t gifted—it was ripped open by force, rep by rep, until his name was called in the fourth round.

And while Alexander and Walker fought for every inch of recognition, James Pearce Jr. is a reminder that when Tennessee talent does get national eyes on it, the results speak for themselves. 

Pearce didn’t just dominate the SEC—he redefined how Tennessee deploys edge defenders. Atlanta taking him in the first round wasn’t a reach—it was a statement. He’s not a sleeper, he’s a storm warning for every offensive tackle in the NFC South.

All three defenders, from different schools and different routes, are crashing into the NFL with one thing in common: they’re not coming to be projects. They’re coming to cause problems.