Alec Pierce

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Alec Pierce

| image = Alec Pierce Commanders vs Colts OCT2022 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Pierce with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022

| current_team = Indianapolis Colts

| number = 14

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|5|2}}

| birth_place = Glen Ellyn, Illinois, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 3

| weight_lb = 211

| high_school = Glenbard West {{avoid wrap|(Glen Ellyn)}}

| college = Cincinnati (2018–2021)

| draftyear = 2022

| draftround = 2

| draftpick = 53

| pastteams =

Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2022}}–present)

| status = Active

| highlights =

Second-team All-AAC (2021)

| statleague = NFL

| statseason = 2024

| statweek =

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 110

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 1,931

| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 11

| pfr = PierAl00

}}

Alec Pierce (born May 2, 2000) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats before the Colts selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Early life

Pierce grew up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and attended Glenbard West High School, where he played football, volleyball, basketball and ran track.{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Bill |date=May 29, 2018 |title=Boys Track and Field: Alec Pierce's debut in track helps lead Hilltoppers to ninth at state |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/2018/05/29/boys-track-and-field-alec-pierces-debut-in-track-helps-lead-hilltoppers-to-ninth-at-state/aljgeml/ |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=ShawLocal.com}} His father, Greg Pierce, was a former tight end who played collegiately at Northwestern University.{{Cite web |last=Atkins |first=Nate |date=August 15, 2023 |title=How Anthony Richardson and Alec Pierce Are Working on Their Deep-Ball Connection |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2023/08/15/colts-how-anthony-richardson-and-alec-pierce-are-working-on-deep-passes/70585405007/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=IndyStar.com}}

As a senior, Alec caught 25 passes for 372 yards and five touchdowns with three sacks and four interceptions on defense and was named the Most Valuable Player of the West Suburban Conference Silver Division.{{Cite web |last=Narang |first=Bob |date=December 13, 2017 |title=Football: Glenbard West WR Alec Pierce commits to Cincinnati |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/2017/12/13/football-glenbard-west-wr-alec-pierce-commits-to-cincinnati/auurvbq/ |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=ShawLocal.com}} Pierce was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Cincinnati over scholarship offers from 17 other programs.{{Cite web |last=O'Halloran |first=Tim |date=December 12, 2017 |title=Recruiting news and notes: Glenbard West WR commits to Cincinnati |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/preps-talk/recruiting-news-and-notes-glenbard-west-wr-commits-cincinnati |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=NBC Sports Chicago}}

College career

Pierce played mostly on special teams as a true freshman.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Justin |date=August 21, 2019 |title=UC position outlook: Seeking answers at receiver, Alec Pierce has arrived |url=https://theathletic.com/1151766/2019/08/21/uc-position-outlook-seeking-answers-at-receiver-alec-pierce-has-arrived/ |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=The Athletic}} He practiced at linebacker ahead of the team's appearance in the Military Bowl but ultimately did not play at that position.{{Cite web |last=Schultz |first=Spencer |date=October 1, 2019 |title=UC football: Pierce developing into go-to receiver |url=https://www.newsrecord.org/sports/uc-football-pierce-developing-into-go-to-receiver/article_cc1ad19e-e48d-11e9-abee-07fdd8dc0318.html |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=The News Record}}{{Cite web |last=Schmit |first=Kevin |date=May 27, 2020 |title=Pierce family's competitive nature runs deep |url=https://basketball.dailyherald.com/sports/20200527/pierce-familys-competitive-nature-runs-deep |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=Daily Herald}} As a sophomore Pierce caught 37 passes for a team-high 652 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2020 |title=Cincinnati WR Alec Pierce looks to 'take more of a role' following bout with COVID-19 |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2020/09/08/2020-cincinnati-bearcats-football-alec-pierces-return-after-covid-19/5745431002/ |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=Cincinnati Enquirer}} He missed four games of his junior season due to a knee injury and finished the year with 17 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg |first=Adam |date=September 22, 2020 |title=Cincinnati Bearcats receiver Alec Pierce out several weeks with knee injury |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29945889/cincinnati-bearcats-receiver-alec-pierce-several-weeks-knee-injury |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Justin |date=September 21, 2021 |title=Cincinnati's slow start, Alec Pierce's impact, return of 'Blackcats,' other takeaways from win over Indiana |url=https://theathletic.com/2838041/2021/09/21/cincinnatis-slow-start-alec-pierces-impact-return-of-blackcats-other-takeaways-from-win-over-indiana/ |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=The Athletic}} As a senior, Pierce caught 52 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns and was named second-team All-American Athletic Conference.{{Cite web |last=Heltman |first=Russ |date=January 9, 2022 |title=Alec Pierce Announces he is Entering 2022 NFL Draft |url=https://www.si.com/college/cincinnati/football/alec-pierce-announces-he-is-entering-2022-nfl-draft |access-date=January 31, 2022 |website=SI.com}}{{Cite web |last=Heltman |first=Russ |date=December 1, 2021 |title=UC Dominates All-AAC Selections |url=https://www.si.com/college/cincinnati/news/uc-dominates-all-aac-selections |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=SI.com |language=en}}

=Statistics=

rowspan="2"\| Season ! rowspan="2"\| Team ! rowspan="2"\| GP ! colspan="5"\| Receiving
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
2018	Cincinnati \| 4 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0.0 \|\| 0 \|\| 0
2019	Cincinnati \| 12 \|\| 37 \|\| 652 \|\| 17.6 \|\| 52 \|\| 2
2020	Cincinnati \| 6 \|\| 17 \|\| 315 \|\| 18.5 \|\| 45 \|\| 3
2021	Cincinnati \| 14 \|\| 52 \|\| 884 \|\| 17.0 \|\| 53 \|\| 8
colspan="2"\| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/alec-pierce-2.htm Career]	36	106	1,851	17.5	53	13

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 3 1/8

| weight = 211

| dash = 4.41

| ten split = 1.46

| twenty split = 2.48

| shuttle = 4.20

| cone drill = 7.13

| vertical = 40.5

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 9

| bench =

| arm span = 33

| hand span = 9

| wonderlic =

| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Alec Pierce Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/alec-pierce/32005049-4518-5673-88cc-339d3b35d4c9 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Alec Pierce, Cincinnati, WR, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1028277&DraftYear=2022 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}

}}

Pierce was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round with the 53rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2022 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2022/draft.htm |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Stankevitz |first=JJ |date=April 29, 2022 |title=NFL Draft 2022: Colts Select Cincinnati Wide Receiver Alec Pierce With No. 53 Overall Pick |url=https://www.colts.com/news/pick-alec-pierce-second-round-53rd-overall-wide-receiver-cincinnati |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=Colts.com}} On October 16, Pierce caught his first career touchdown in the Week 6 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web |last=Heltman |first=Russ |date=October 16, 2022 |title=Watch: Alec Pierce Scores Game-Winning TD Against Jaguars |url=https://www.si.com/college/cincinnati/football/watch-alec-pierce-scores-game-winning-td-against-jaguars |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated}} The Colts won the game 34–27.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts – October 16th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202210160clt.htm |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} Pierce posted his best NFL game on NBC Sunday Night Football, notching team-highs in catches (four) and receiving yards (86) while adding his second-career touchdown. He finished his rookie season with 41 receptions for 593 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Alec Pierce 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PierAl00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Pro Football Reference}}

In Week 14 of the 2023 season against the Tennessee Titans, Pierce enjoyed his first career 100–yard game. He opened the game with a 36-yard touchdown on Indianapolis' first possession, and finished with 100 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.{{cite web | last=Moore | first=Raven | title=Why Wide receiver Alec Pierce's 100-yard receiving game against Titans was a testament to the importance of patience | website=Colts.com | date=2023-12-04 | url=https://www.colts.com/news/wide-receiver-alec-pierce-touchdown-tennessee-titans-michael-pittman-jr | access-date=2024-07-23}} He finished the season as the Colts third-leading receiver with 32 catches for 514 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Alec Pierce 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PierAl00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2023 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/2023.htm |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In Week 1 of the 2024 season, Pierce had three receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown in a 29–27 loss to the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |title=Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts - September 8th, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202409080clt.htm |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In a Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had three receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars - October 6th, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202410060jax.htm |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 17 against the New York Giants, six receptions for 122 yards.{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants - December 29th, 2024 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202412290nyg.htm |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} In the 2024 season, he had 37 receptions for 824 yards and seven touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Alec Pierce 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PierAl00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

NFL career statistics

class="wikitable mw-collapsible"

! colspan="2" |Legend

style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;" |

|Led the league

Bold

|Career high

rowspan="2"\| Year ! rowspan="2"\| Team ! colspan="2"\| Games ! colspan="6" \| Receiving ! colspan="2"\| Fumbles
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{{abbr\|GP\|Games played}}	{{abbr\|GS\|Games started}}	{{abbr\|Tgt\|Targets}}	{{abbr\|Rec\|Receptions}}	{{abbr\|Yds\|Receiving yards}}	{{abbr\|Avg\|Receiving yards per reception}}	{{abbr\|Lng\|Longest reception}}	{{abbr\|TD\|Receiving touchdowns}}	{{abbr\|Fum\|Fumbles}}	{{abbr\|Lost\|Fumbles lost}}
2022	IND \| 16 \|\| 12 \|\| 78\|\| 41\|\| 593\|\| 14.5 \|\| 47 \|\| 2\|\| 1\|\| 0
2023 !IND \|17 \|16 \|65 \|32 \|514 \|16.1 \|58 \|2 \|0 \|0
2024 !IND \|16 \|13 \|67 \|37 \|824 \|style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"\|22.3 \|65 \|7 \|0 \|0
colspan="2" \|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PierAl00.htm Career]	49	41	212	110	1,931	17.6	60	11	1	0

References

Additional reading

Andrew Moore, [https://web.archive.org/web/20220903083038/https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/alec-pierce-indianapolis-colts-rookie-files "Alec Pierce: Indianapolis Colts Rookie Files,"] Horseshoe Huddle, August 30, 2022.

External links

[https://www.colts.com/team/players-roster/alec-pierce/ Indianapolis Colts bio]
[https://gobearcats.com/sports/football/roster/alec-pierce/10161 Cincinnati Bearcats bio]

Category:American football wide receivers

Category:Cincinnati Bearcats football players

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Category:Players of American football from DuPage County, Illinois

Category:2000 births

Category:Indianapolis Colts players

rowspan="2"\| Year ! rowspan="2"\| Team ! colspan="2"\| Games ! colspan="6" \| Receiving ! colspan="2"\| Fumbles
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{{abbr\|GP\|Games played}}	{{abbr\|GS\|Games started}}	{{abbr\|Tgt\|Targets}}	{{abbr\|Rec\|Receptions}}	{{abbr\|Yds\|Receiving yards}}	{{abbr\|Avg\|Receiving yards per reception}}	{{abbr\|Lng\|Longest reception}}	{{abbr\|TD\|Receiving touchdowns}}	{{abbr\|Fum\|Fumbles}}	{{abbr\|Lost\|Fumbles lost}}
2022	IND \| 16 \|\| 12 \|\| 78\|\| 41\|\| 593\|\| 14.5 \|\| 47 \|\| 2\|\| 1\|\| 0
2023 !IND \|17 \|16 \|65 \|32 \|514 \|16.1 \|58 \|2 \|0 \|0
2024 !IND \|16 \|13 \|67 \|37 \|824 \|style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"\|22.3 \|65 \|7 \|0 \|0
colspan="2" \|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PierAl00.htm Career]	49	41	212	110	1,931	17.6	60	11	1	0