James Pierre
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{for|the Liberian judge|James A. A. Pierre}}
{{Use American English|date = February 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = James Pierre
| image = James Pierre Commanders.jpg
| caption = Pierre with the Washington Commanders in 2024
| alt =
| current_team = Pittsburgh Steelers
| number = 42
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|9|16}}
| birth_place = Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 185
| high_school = Deerfield Beach
| college = Florida Atlantic (2017–2019)
| undraftedyear = 2020
| pastteams =
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2020|2023}})
- Washington Commanders ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Tackles
| statvalue1 = 117
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 5
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 11
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 3
}}
James Pierre Jr. (born September 16, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Atlantic Owls and signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Pierre has also been a member of the Washington Commanders.
Early life
Pierre attended Deerfield Beach High School. As a senior, he registered 48 tackles, four interceptions and two pass break-ups, helping Deerfield Beach to a 10–2 record. The Miami Herald named him one of the Top 25 seniors in Broward County, while the Sun-Sentinel named him all-county honorable mention. Pierre was considered a three-star prospect and the No. 48 safety in the Class of 2016 by 247Sports.com's composite rankings. He initially committed to Miami (FL) over offers from Louisville, Mississippi State, Tennessee, South Carolina and Wisconsin, but switched his commitment to North Carolina in February 2016. Pierre was denied admission and committed to Syracuse.{{Cite news |last=Bailey |first=Stephen |date=May 20, 2016 |title=Syracuse football announces signing of James Pierre; 3-star DB details decision |url=https://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2016/05/james_pierre_syracuse_football_safety.html |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=The Post-Standard}}
College career
Pierre was ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA for his freshman season.{{Cite news |last=Bailey |first=Stephen |date=August 29, 2016 |title=Syracuse football DB signee James Pierre does not qualify with NCAA |url=https://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2016/08/syracuse_football_db_signee_james_pierre_does_not_qualify_with_ncaa.html |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=The Post-Standard}} He transferred to Florida Atlantic and had 21 tackles and two pass deflections as a freshman in 2017.{{Cite news |last=Elman |first=Jake |date=April 16, 2016 |title=Florida Atlantic cornerback James Pierre looks to finish spring camp with flourish |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/2018/04/16/florida-atlantic-cornerback-james-pierre-looks-to-finish-spring-camp-with-flourish/ |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=Palm Beach Post |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204182441/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/2018/04/16/florida-atlantic-cornerback-james-pierre-looks-to-finish-spring-camp-with-flourish/ |url-status=dead }} Pierre posted 55 tackles and nine pass breakups as a sophomore.{{Cite news |last=Elman |first=Jake |date=July 29, 2019 |title=FAU football: James Pierre, Owls secondary need to continue strong spring performance into regular season |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20190729/fau-football-james-pierre-owls-secondary-need-to-continue-strong-spring-performance-into-regular-season |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=Palm Beach Post}} On November 2, 2019, he made two interceptions in a 35–24 win over Western Kentucky.{{Cite news |date=November 2, 2019 |title=James Pierre makes 2 picks as Florida Atlantic tops Western Kentucky football |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/football/2019/11/02/western-kentucky-football-hilltoppers-lose-home-fau/4144811002/ |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=The Courier-Journal |agency=Associated Press}} As a junior in 2019, Pierre recorded 44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses and three interceptions. He finished his collegiate career with 120 total tackles, 18 pass breakups, 8 1/2 tackles for losses and three interceptions in 39 games. Pierre declared for the NFL Draft following the season.{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Khobi |date=January 2, 2020 |title=FAU cornerback James Pierre declares for NFL draft |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fau-owls/fl-sp-fau-james-pierre-declares-nfl-draft-20200102-heqrphaq2nexrmfqtzq2ugun64-story.html |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=Sun-Sentinel}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0
| weight = 183
| dash = 4.59
| ten split = 1.61
| twenty split = 2.68
| shuttle =
| cone drill = 7.02
| vertical = 33.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 3
| bench =
| arm span = 31 1/4
| hand span = 8 1/2
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=James Pierre Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/james-pierre/32005049-4556-8615-e463-2015c1729e2f |access-date=September 7, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=James Pierre, Florida Atlantic, CB, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1025442&DraftYear=2020 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)=
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, Pierre signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Khobi |date=April 26, 2020 |title=FAU's James Pierre, Rashad Smith, Brandon Walton agree to NFL deals as undrafted free agents |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fau-owls/fl-sp-fau-james-pierre-rashad-smith-nfl-deals-20200426-ewhbfmfgsnhbbfpq33okh4oybe-story.html |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=Sun-Sentinel}} He was named to the Steelers' initial 53-man roster, the only undrafted free agent to make the team in that fashion in 2020.{{Cite news |last=Adamski |first=Chris |date=September 7, 2020 |title=Tall, athletic CB James Pierre pleased to make Steelers as undrafted free agent |url=https://triblive.com/sports/tall-athletic-cb-james-pierre-pleased-to-make-steelers-as-undrafted-free-agent/ |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review}} On September 19, 2021, Pierre made his first career NFL start, filling in due to a groin injury to Joe Haden.{{Cite news |last=Adamski |first=Chris |date=September 20, 2021 |title=Steelers CB James Pierre fills in on short notice as 'next man up' in place of Joe Haden |url=https://triblive.com/sports/james-pierre-fills-in-on-short-notice-as-steelers-next-man-up-in-place-of-joe-haden/ |access-date=October 2, 2021 |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review}} Pierre made his first NFL interception in a game against the Denver Broncos on October 10, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=October 10, 2021 |title=Steelers snap losing streak, beat Broncos 27-19 |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/10/10/steelers-snap-losing-streak-beat-broncos-27-19/ |access-date=October 10, 2021}}
On March 21, 2023, Pierre re–signed with the Steelers.{{Cite web|title=Steelers Re-Sign CB James Pierre|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-resign-james-pierre|access-date=April 29, 2024|website=si.com|date=March 21, 2023 |language=en}}
=Washington Commanders=
Pierre signed with the Washington Commanders on March 21, 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/mar/21/commanders-add-cornerback-james-pierre-latest-free/|work=WashingtonTimes.com|title=Commanders add cornerback James Pierre in latest free-agency move|first=Liam|last=Griffin|date=March 21, 2024|accessdate=March 27, 2024}} He was released on August 27, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Selby |first1=Zach |title=Commanders release 34 players; place 3 on IR, 1 on PUP list |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-release-34-players-place-3-on-ir-1-on-pup-list |website=Commanders.com |access-date=28 August 2024}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)=
On September 17, 2024, Pierre signed with the Steelers practice squad.{{cite web |last1=Popejoy |first1=Curt |title=Steelers bring back familiar face at cornerback |url=https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2024/09/17/steelers-nfl-practice-squad-james-pierre/ |website=Steelers Wire |date=September 18, 2024 |access-date=18 September 2024}} He played against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 22, 2024 and then signed to the active roster on September 24.{{cite web|title=Steelers make multiple roster moves|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-multiple-roster-moves-x9042|website=Steelers.com|date=September 24, 2024}}
On March 20, 2025, Pierre was re-signed by the Steelers on a one-year contract.{{cite web |last1=Varley |first1=Teresa |title=Pierre signed to one-year contract |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/pierre-signed-to-one-year-contract-x5594 |website=steelers.com |access-date=21 March 2025}}
Personal life
Pierre's cousin is two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.{{Cite web |title=James Pierre Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College {{!}} Pro-Football-Reference.com |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PierJa01.htm |access-date=August 8, 2023 |website=Pro-Football Reference |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/james-pierre/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio]
- [https://fausports.com/sports/football/roster/james-pierre/5828 Florida Atlantic Owls bio]
{{Pittsburgh Steelers roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pierre, James}}
Category:Players of American football from Broward County, Florida
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Florida Atlantic Owls football players
Category:Sportspeople from Deerfield Beach, Florida