Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. wrapped up his rookie season on a strong note and made a name for himself in the league. Drafted by the Falcons with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Pearce finished the 2025 season with 26 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. His breakout year didn’t go unnoticed, as Pearce finished second in NFL Rookie of the Year voting. But as the offseason unfolds, attention has shifted to Pearce’s off-field legal matter involving WNBA star Rickea Jackson. So, let’s take a look at the nature of Pearce’s relationship with Jackson.

Was James Pearce Jr. in a relationship with WNBA Star Rickea Jackson?

James Pearce Jr. has not publicly confirmed a relationship with Rickea Jackson, but several signs suggest the two are romantically linked. The speculations over their relationship grew on the night Jackson went No. 4 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft. After she walked onto the stage following her name being called, cameras caught Jackson hugging Pearce.

But the spotlight on the pair’s relationship only grew during Pearce’s NFL Draft night last year. Jackson appeared by his side as the Falcons made the call to draft Pearce. Cameras caught Jackson patting and rubbing Pearce’s leg as he celebrated with family, and moments later, Pearce wrapped an arm around her. It looked very intimate and romantic, still, both Pearce and Jackson chose not to talk about their relationship any further, leaving fans to read between the lines.

How did James Pearce Jr. and Rickea Jackson meet? 

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The connection between James Pearce Jr. and Rickea Jackson makes sense when you look at their career paths. Pearce played for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2018 to 2024, while Jackson dominated for the Lady Vols from 2022 to 2024. With both Pearce and Jackson playing at the University of Tennessee at the same time, it’s reasonable to assume that’s where they first crossed paths. 

Are James Pearce Jr. and Rickea Jackson still together? 

After their joint appearance at the 2025 NFL Draft, James Pearce Jr. and Rickea Jackson continued to be seen together in public. Last year, when Pearce attended Jackson’s high school jersey retirement ceremony, he publicly called her his favorite athlete. 

However, in early September 2025, Jackson revealed on Snapchat that she was no longer in a relationship, and many reports interpreted that as confirmation that she stopped dating Pearce. No public drama followed after the split as Pearce stayed focused on his rookie NFL season, but that changed recently.

On February 7, 2026, James Pearce Jr. was taken into custody after a high-speed police chase involving him ended in a car crash in Doral, Florida. Officials have revealed that Pearce allegedly fled the scene of a domestic dispute involving Rickea Jackson and deliberately drove his Lamborghini into her car multiple times to block her from reaching a police station. The situation is serious, and the legal process involving Pearce and Jackson is underway. 

Who has James Pearce Jr. dated in the past?

There were no public reports of James Pearce Jr. dating anyone during his time at Julius L. Chambers High School in Charlotte. But at the University of Tennessee, sources suggest he began dating Rickea Jackson. Since their reported split in September 2025, Pearce has not been linked to anyone else, as his rookie NFL season, which ended just last month, has kept him busy.

Has James Pearce Jr. been linked to anyone else publicly? 

Publicly, Pearce has only been connected in a relationship to Rickea Jackson. But what once looked like a low-key, cross-sport romance between Pearce and Jackson now sits under a harsh spotlight as more details involving their domestic dispute continue to surface.