Now that’s a hard launch.
Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson and former Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. appeared to make their relationship public during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Jackson and Pearce were together when the Falcons traded up to select Pearce in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick, and ESPN cameras captured the moment virtually as they celebrated at a draft party in Charlotte, N.C.
Jackson, 24, was sitting alongside Pearce, 21, and rubbing his leg as he learned of his NFL dreams becoming reality after three seasons at Tennessee.
The Sparks star also attended the school from 2022-24, playing two seasons for the Lady Volunteers.
There was speculation on social media that Jackson and Pearce were dating, but the athletes have yet to address the matter publicly — until now.
Many fans said they were shocked while reacting to the news on X.
“Is that Rickea??” one fan wrote.
“Fell to my knees when I saw Rickea Jackson sitting next to James Pearce Jr on draft night,” another added.
Others said they couldn’t wait to see Jackson on the sidelines in Atlanta.
As a junior, Pearce recorded 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks for Tennessee.
He was named First-Team All SEC in 2023 and 2024.
Jackson played for the Lady Vols after three seasons at Mississippi State.
She earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors this past season, and will begin her sophomore campaign when the Sparks open the 2025 WNBA season against the Golden State Valkyries — the league’s newest expansion team — on May 17.
