James Pearce Jr. does not have a publicly confirmed girlfriend as of August 2026. The Atlanta Falcons edge rusher has kept his personal life out of the spotlight following the end of his relationship with WNBA player Rickea Jackson and the serious legal proceedings that followed their breakup.
Pearce and Jackson were once regarded as a high-profile sports couple after meeting as student-athletes at the University of Tennessee. Their relationship lasted roughly three years, but it ended in early 2026. Since then, Pearce has not been publicly linked to another romantic partner.
The attention surrounding his personal life has instead focused on his former relationship, the February incident involving Jackson, and the professional consequences that followed.
Is He Dating?
There is currently no publicly known girlfriend in Pearce’s life.
Neither Pearce nor a credible source has announced a new relationship since his split from Jackson. While social media can generate speculation about athletes’ dating lives, there is no verified information identifying another partner.
Pearce has also maintained a relatively low profile when it comes to his personal affairs.
For now, the most accurate answer is that his relationship status is private, with no confirmed girlfriend publicly identified.
Rickea Jackson
Pearce’s best-known relationship was with Rickea Jackson, a professional basketball player who competes in the WNBA.
The two met while attending Tennessee, where both were standout athletes. Their shared connection to the university and elite sports eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
Their relationship became more widely known when Jackson appeared with Pearce around the time of the 2025 NFL Draft.
At that point, both were beginning important chapters in their professional careers. Jackson was establishing herself in the WNBA, while Pearce was preparing to enter the NFL.
The Breakup
The relationship ended in early 2026, with Jackson initiating the separation.
What had been a private breakup soon became a much more serious matter following an incident in Miami-Dade County on February 7.
According to reports and allegations described in the resulting legal proceedings, Pearce pursued Jackson in his vehicle after their relationship had ended. Jackson told authorities that his vehicle struck hers multiple times while she was attempting to reach a police station.
Pearce was arrested following the incident.
Because the case involved allegations of domestic violence, details should be understood as allegations and legal claims rather than assumptions about events beyond what has been established through the proceedings.
Protective Order
Jackson later sought protection through the courts.
In March 2026, she filed a petition for a protective order against Pearce and said she feared for her safety.
The court subsequently imposed restrictions requiring Pearce to stay away from Jackson and prohibiting contact between the former couple.
The legal order effectively formalized the separation and placed strict boundaries between them.
There has been no public indication that the two have resumed contact or reconciled.
Criminal Case
Pearce’s legal situation also continued after the arrest.
In April 2026, he resolved the criminal case by entering a pretrial intervention diversion program.
The arrangement allowed the criminal proceedings to move forward under a diversion framework rather than through a conventional trial.
His legal circumstances have remained separate from speculation about his dating life. There has been no confirmed report of Pearce beginning another relationship during or after the proceedings.
NFL Suspension
The situation also had consequences for Pearce’s football career.
On August 14, 2026, the NFL announced that Pearce would serve an eight-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
The disciplinary action represents a significant setback for the young defensive player as he prepares for his second NFL season.
Pearce was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft after establishing himself as one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in college football.
His future on the field has therefore become another major focus alongside the legal developments from earlier in the year.
Life at Tennessee
Before reaching the NFL, Pearce became one of Tennessee’s most prominent defensive players.
His time with the Volunteers established him as a disruptive pass rusher and helped make him a first-round draft selection.
It was also during his college years that he met Jackson.
Their shared experience as student-athletes created an unusual connection between two people who would later become professional athletes in two different major American sports.
Keeping Private
Pearce has not publicly introduced another girlfriend since his relationship with Jackson ended.
Given the level of scrutiny surrounding his previous relationship, his decision to keep his personal life private is unsurprising.
There is also an important distinction between being publicly single and having no romantic life at all. Pearce may have personal relationships that he simply chooses not to disclose. Without confirmation from him or reliable reporting, however, it would be inappropriate to identify someone as his girlfriend.
What Comes Next?
For Pearce, the immediate focus is likely to be his professional future.
The eight-game NFL suspension will affect the beginning of his 2026 season, while his legal obligations and the restrictions connected to the Jackson case remain important parts of his circumstances.
Away from football, there is no publicly confirmed new relationship to report.
The James Pearce Jr. girlfriend question therefore has a straightforward answer as of August 2026: he is not publicly known to be dating anyone.
His previous relationship with Rickea Jackson ended before the February incident, and the former couple have since been separated by court-ordered restrictions. Pearce has remained relatively private about his romantic life while dealing with the legal and professional fallout.
Unless Pearce personally confirms a new relationship, claims about a new girlfriend should be treated as unverified speculation.
