Former Lady Vols star Rickea Jackson was seen next to Tennessee football's James Pearce as the edge rusher was taken in 2025 NFL Draft by the Falcons.

Sparks forward Rickea Jackson and Falcons first-round draft pick James Pearce Jr. seemingly used the NFL Draft to go public with their relationship.

“The Los Angeles Rams have traded the 26th pick to the Atlanta Falcons,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that evening in a video that was shared by the organization on X. “With the 26th pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons select James Pearce Jr., defensive end, Tennessee.”