Alec Pierce

DkeCat

Sophomore
Jan 14, 2002
3,881
147
48
Know we are in the market for a WR - anyone see Alec Pierce play (Glenbard West)? Apparently ran a laser-timed 4.45 at 6'3'' 200lbs in camp yesterday.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/4304099/alec-pierce

His speed on tape is solid, but it doesn't seem 4.45-esque. Easy strides, good ball radius, high-points. Unfortunately doesn't seem to run a variety of routes (lots of seam). Thoughts?

Edit: 4.13 shuttle as well, which would make him a top performer in the combine this year.
 

wildcatpn

Freshman
Oct 26, 2005
3,234
75
48
Know we are in the market for a WR - anyone see Alec Pierce play (Glenbard West)? Apparently ran a laser-timed 4.45 at 6'3'' 200lbs in camp yesterday.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/4304099/alec-pierce

His speed on tape is solid, but it doesn't seem 4.45-esque. Easy strides, good ball radius, high-points. Unfortunately doesn't seem to run a variety of routes (lots of seam). Thoughts?

Edit: 4.13 shuttle as well, which would make him a top performer in the combine this year.
Both parents are ex-NU athletes.
 

Williesfan

Freshman
Sep 24, 2009
2,744
54
0
His recruitment should start picking up with The Power 5. His academics should be par for NU. He has offers from all three service academies.
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
45,573
1,605
78
Know we are in the market for a WR - anyone see Alec Pierce play (Glenbard West)? Apparently ran a laser-timed 4.45 at 6'3'' 200lbs in camp yesterday.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/4304099/alec-pierce

His speed on tape is solid, but it doesn't seem 4.45-esque. Easy strides, good ball radius, high-points. Unfortunately doesn't seem to run a variety of routes (lots of seam). Thoughts?

Edit: 4.13 shuttle as well, which would make him a top performer in the combine this year.

Wish I saw more of that explosiveness on tape. The testing numbers sure look like a solid WR prospect, but the tape looks more like a guy who would need to turn in a good start to his senior year.
 

DkeCat

Sophomore
Jan 14, 2002
3,881
147
48
Wish I saw more of that explosiveness on tape. The testing numbers sure look like a solid WR prospect, but the tape looks more like a guy who would need to turn in a good start to his senior year.

I'm with you. That shuttle number was a bit surprising - he seems to take a bit to get to speed. Would like to see these translate to a game, but with colleges infatuation with numbers, may be getting more offers soon.

What did his parents play at NU?
 
May 18, 2015
1,666
845
0
Pierce showed great burst, huge leaping ability and exceptional hands last year as he was learning a new position. A new OC who took a few games to find any rhythm, but by week 4, GW figured out Pierce was creating space and his season took off. His all-state nod last year was well-deserved and he took over some big games against high quality CBs.

This year, old OC returns to GW after a couple of years of HC at another school and he will bring back significant creativity for Pierce. Same offense but they will thrive under more confident play calling. On film, Pierce glides because he was mostly asked to run the seam/go routes. Expect Pierce to master the precision of all the routes as OC spends summer tutoring Pierce for the first time. High expectations that Pierce develops into complete receiver this year.
 

hdhntr1

Senior
Sep 5, 2006
36,223
661
113
Pierce showed great burst, huge leaping ability and exceptional hands last year as he was learning a new position. A new OC who took a few games to find any rhythm, but by week 4, GW figured out Pierce was creating space and his season took off. His all-state nod last year was well-deserved and he took over some big games against high quality CBs.

This year, old OC returns to GW after a couple of years of HC at another school and he will bring back significant creativity for Pierce. Same offense but they will thrive under more confident play calling. On film, Pierce glides because he was mostly asked to run the seam/go routes. Expect Pierce to master the precision of all the routes as OC spends summer tutoring Pierce for the first time. High expectations that Pierce develops into complete receiver this year.
Thanks. Your evaluation is helpful
 

hdhntr1

Senior
Sep 5, 2006
36,223
661
113
Know we are in the market for a WR - anyone see Alec Pierce play (Glenbard West)? Apparently ran a laser-timed 4.45 at 6'3'' 200lbs in camp yesterday.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/4304099/alec-pierce

His speed on tape is solid, but it doesn't seem 4.45-esque. Easy strides, good ball radius, high-points. Unfortunately doesn't seem to run a variety of routes (lots of seam). Thoughts?

Edit: 4.13 shuttle as well, which would make him a top performer in the combine this year.
Would seem to be an interesting "reach". Lots of MAC offers and the like, a school we are familiar with and close enough to easily check on him, parents familiar with the programs, good size and interesting numbers and available perhaps because of changing OCs hurt his production.. One of Glades hidden gem 2 star kids?
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
45,573
1,605
78
Would seem to be an interesting "reach". Lots of MAC offers and the like, a school we are familiar with and close enough to easily check on him, parents familiar with the programs, good size and interesting numbers and available perhaps because of changing OCs hurt his production.. One of Glades hidden gem 2 star kids?

But with a small class, NU isn't in a position where a reach makes any sense.
 

charcat

Redshirt
Apr 11, 2006
547
39
0
I would suspect he is less of a reach because we have real information, local kid, lots of connections etc. If we choose to offer it is likely because we believe we have some real insight that others may not have. The previous poster sheds some light why NU may be following this closely to see how it plays out. If he has a breakout season, others will come running too. Should be interesting
 

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
36,336
1,893
67
Know we are in the market for a WR - anyone see Alec Pierce play (Glenbard West)? Apparently ran a laser-timed 4.45 at 6'3'' 200lbs in camp yesterday.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/4304099/alec-pierce

His speed on tape is solid, but it doesn't seem 4.45-esque. Easy strides, good ball radius, high-points. Unfortunately doesn't seem to run a variety of routes (lots of seam). Thoughts?

Edit: 4.13 shuttle as well, which would make him a top performer in the combine this year.
On paper, those numbers pretty much blow Micah Jones out of the water.
 
May 18, 2015
1,666
845
0
Not sure how a 6'3" kid that clocks a 4.45 and earned all-state honors in basically half of his junior season qualifies as a "reach" but maybe I'm just a homer. The kid ranks as 3 star kid by 247 and will likely be upgraded by others by end of the summer.

I am unfamiliar with the depth chart at NU but do they have a stable of field stretchers that have 40" vertical to take the pressure of the run game? Not trying to be snarky but think this kid will be exit this season as one of the top '18 kids and will only get better as he fills out his frame.
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
45,573
1,605
78
Not sure how a 6'3" kid that clocks a 4.45 and earned all-state honors in basically half of his junior season qualifies as a "reach" but maybe I'm just a homer. The kid ranks as 3 star kid by 247 and will likely be upgraded by others by end of the summer.

I am unfamiliar with the depth chart at NU but do they have a stable of field stretchers that have 40" vertical to take the pressure of the run game? Not trying to be snarky but think this kid will be exit this season as one of the top '18 kids and will only get better as he fills out his frame.

His biggest obstacle at NU is that we have a small class this year with one WR committed already and are holding out the last skill position spot for a RB.

Before his NU numbers, I would have guessed something a little more like his Nike testing numbers, which were good-not-great (with the exception of his vertical, which is outstanding):


More generally, I still wish that kind of athleticism consistently came across on tape. His junior film doesn't really show the kind of explosiveness that one might expect from a kid with those testing numbers.
 
May 18, 2015
1,666
845
0
His biggest obstacle at NU is that we have a small class this year with one WR committed already and are holding out the last skill position spot for a RB.

Before his NU numbers, I would have guessed something a little more like his Nike testing numbers, which were good-not-great (with the exception of his vertical, which is outstanding).

Sounds like an unfortunate number crunch may make the offer tough. Best of luck in filling out the class.

I think the numbers and film show a kid still developing. Bottom line is that you just don't find many kids with his kind of upside. We are looking forward to a full season of highlights over here at Duchon Field.
 

DkeCat

Sophomore
Jan 14, 2002
3,881
147
48
Sounds like an unfortunate number crunch may make the offer tough. Best of luck in filling out the class.

I think the numbers and film show a kid still developing. Bottom line is that you just don't find many kids with his kind of upside. We are looking forward to a full season of highlights over here at Duchon Field.

CBH - you seem to be connected with the Glenbard West team - have you watched any North games? Curious on your thoughts on Jace James, and how Greg Newsome look...
 
May 18, 2015
1,666
845
0
Not officially connected just a father of some kids in the program. I watch a lot of film of GW and never hesitate to share what I see.

Only caught GN on film vs NV in prep for GW's first playoff game last year and watched some of their ESL track meet in Rd 2 of 7A playoffs. I was surprised at how easily ESL moved the ball around and over James/Newsome. ESL was stacked with talent but GN seemed to have a tough time making stops. They looked better against NV who had a big fast receiver. NV was missing a key cog so GN was able to over play the WR and they shut him down.

When we played NV I came away unimpressed with WR but the previously injured player came back for our playoff game and was a monster. He was FB/LB and forced our focus inside. WR had one play vs our undersized CB.

Everyone around here loves James and Newsome so likely they know better than me based on my limited views. Let me see if I can rewatch some film and get back.
 

DkeCat

Sophomore
Jan 14, 2002
3,881
147
48
Know we are in the market for a WR - anyone see Alec Pierce play (Glenbard West)? Apparently ran a laser-timed 4.45 at 6'3'' 200lbs in camp yesterday.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/4304099/alec-pierce

His speed on tape is solid, but it doesn't seem 4.45-esque. Easy strides, good ball radius, high-points. Unfortunately doesn't seem to run a variety of routes (lots of seam). Thoughts?

Edit: 4.13 shuttle as well, which would make him a top performer in the combine this year.

well - he got even faster…

 

TheC

Senior
May 29, 2001
18,656
801
62
well - he got even faster…


Alec Pierce will play on Sundays. It wasn't just his speed at Cincinnati, but also his ability to catch the ball in traffic and just always seem to make the big play.
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
24,980
1,371
113
Too many recent recruiting misses by our coaches.
 

nu greek

Freshman
Nov 11, 2001
3,114
61
38
Alec Pierce will play on Sundays. It wasn't just his speed at Cincinnati, but also his ability to catch the ball in traffic and just always seem to make the big play.
One of the recent Mock Drafts have the Bears taking him in the 2nd round.
 

d'son d

Redshirt
Dec 18, 2007
1,858
45
33
Another demonstration of an accurate retrospective look at a passed on recruit. He had some measurables early and was commented on by many, but we had a small class so passed, even though he was a legacy. It's hard for the unknowing (us) to determine the future but we seem to attempt to do so every year. We've had our share of successes with low star rated recruits and walk-ons, but the ability to corral more of the high star (stars don't count group) recruits is a regular occurrence. What we need is consistency to turn our Taj Fitz, our intermittent successful seasons, and our bowl wins into garnering more of the Sunday player types.
 

corbi2961

Senior
Sep 9, 2005
30,524
785
0
One of the recent Mock Drafts have the Bears taking him in the 2nd round.
I doubt that happens. Lots of good receivers in this draft. I like him but the speed didn’t translate quite to the level of college production I would have expected. I think he is a 3rd or 4th rounder. Certainly a big miss on NU’s part not offering him.
 

CSCatFan1

Senior
Dec 4, 2002
39,976
457
0
A few experts wrong on this board about Pierce.

Many, many top programs were wrong about Pierce. Obviously the NU connection compounds our oversight. That being said, a player like Pierce most likely contributed to us offering a guy like Covey so early. Not comparing them talent wise, moreso their situations. I’m guessing the reactions to us offering Pierce 4-5 years ago would have elicited a similar response to the Covey offer last month.