Each of Tennessee football’s four rookies has had their first NFL game of the year. This meant we got the first look at each of them, except Chiefs defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott, who was held out with an ankle injury. There seems to be optimism that he could make his NFL debut next week, though.
For Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr., Raiders wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Browns running back Dylan Sampson, they all got their first taste of NFL football, though. Here’s a look at how each of them did on Sunday during the early slate of games.
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Falcons – OLB James Pearce Jr.
- Tennessee Tenure: 2022-24
- 2024 Vols Stats: 13 GP, 38 tackles, 13 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 1 FF
- Draft Pick: Round 1 – Pick 26
- NFL Debut Team Result: vs. Buccaneers, 23-20 loss
- NFL Debut Stats: 0 tackles, 1 QBH
- NFL Debut PFF: 23 snaps, 59.4 grade
James Pearce Jr. gets loose ahead of the #Falcons regular season opener pic.twitter.com/MF9EckN6Xj
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) September 7, 2025
Chiefs – DT Omarr Norman-Lott
- Tennessee Tenure: 2023-24
- 2024 Vols Stats: 13 GP, 18 tackles, 4 TFL, 4 sacks
- Draft Pick: Round 2 – Pick 63
- NFL Debut Team Result: N/a (Missed Chiefs’ loss to Chargers with ankle injury)
- NFL Debut Stats: N/a
- NFL Debut PFF: N/a
Raiders – WR Dont’e Thornton Jr.
- Tennessee Tenure: 2023-24
- 2024 Vols Stats: 13 GP, 26 receptions, 661 yards, 6 TD
- Draft Pick: Round 4 – Pick 108
- NFL Debut Team Result: at Patriots, 20-13 win
- NFL Debut Stats: 2 receptions, 45 yards
- NFL Debut PFF: 38 snaps, 65.9 grade
Geno Smith is BALLING today.
Deep throw to Dont’e Thornton. Raiders closing in on a win against the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/9WNKK3itDr
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) September 7, 2025
Browns – RB Dylan Sampson
- Tennessee Tenure: 2022-24
- 2024 Vols Stats: 13 GP, 258 carries, 1,491 yards, 22 TD
- Draft Pick: Round 4 – Pick 126
- NFL Debut Team Result: vs. Bengals, 17-16 loss
- NFL Debut Stats: 12 carries, 29 yards / 8 receptions, 64 yards
- NFL Debut PFF: 33 snaps, 70.8 grade
