Samford University Athletics

2014: Named second-team All-SoCon by both the league’s coaches and media . . . started all 11 games on the defensive line . . . finished the season with 35 total tackles, including 26 solo stops . . . had 5.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack . . . had five tackles at TCU . . . tallied five tackles, all solo, against Mercer . . . finished with six tackles, all solo, against Wofford . . . had five tackles, including four solo stops against Western Carolina.

2013: Played in all 13 games, including 11 starts on the defensive line . . . finished with 47 total tackles, including 24 solo stops . . . had 5.0 tackles for loss . . . also had one forced fumble and one pass break-up . . . had a season-high eight tackles at Arkansas . . . had seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss, against Southeastern Louisiana . . . had seven tackles at Appalachian State . . . contributed six tackles, 1.0 for loss, against Chattanooga.

Previous College: Transferred to Samford after two seasons at Tulane . . . played in all 13 games for the Green Wave as a true freshman in 2011, tallying 15 tackles, including nine solo stops . . . was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team.

High School: Was a two-year letterman at Daphne High School . . . helped lead the Trojans to a combined 21-8 record, including a 15-0 showing and a state championship as a senior . . . named first-team All-State and All-District while claiming Cellular South 1st & 10 Club Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior after posting 82 stops and helping spearhead a defense that allowed an average of just 9.5 points per game . . . also named MVP of the 6A state championship game after recording 10 stops in a 7-6 win over Hoover . . . selected to play in the Max Emfinger All-American Bowl Game Classic.

Personal: Born Nov. 6, 1992 . . . son of Michael and Daphne Pierce . . . majoring in public administration.