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Twitchy, explosive pass rusher with a high-end first step and violent finishing ability behind the line of scrimmage. Checked in at around 6-foot-3, 225 pounds with 33.5-inch arms as a senior. Shows the ability to burst off the snap. Gets into the backfield quickly due to his initial burst. Capable of redirecting at the line of scrimmage. Shows early signs of a budding arsenal of pass rush maneuvers, including a spin and up and under move. A coordinated, smooth athlete who can cross up offensive tackles with a quick jab step. Looks to have outstanding closing speed. Finishes with physicality and levies out some big hits behind the line of scrimmage. Should continue adding power to his game as he gets stronger at the next level in order to hold up as a run defender. Not overly big for the position but is less physically developed relative to many of his peers - pointing to considerable room for growth in a college strength program. Continued to add pass rush skills as a senior, flashing his immense potential off the edge at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and the All-American Bowl. Projects as a high-energy, disruptive outside pass rusher at the next level.
Yhonzae Pierre is a high-energy, disruptive pass usher who has some similarities to DeMarcus Lawrence. Pierre is a more touted prospect than Lawrence at the same stage, but we see similarities in the physical dimensions, on-field twitch and ability to disrupt as a pass rusher. Both are at their best when allowed to use their explosive athleticism to get after quarterbacks.
Senior Year
1/17/23
Yhonzae Pierre earns 5th star from On3
Yhonzae Pierre (No. 17) was on the cusp of adding his fifth star and made the decision easy with his showings at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and the All-American Bowl. Pierre is an explosive, violent defender with pass rush skills that really shined in the all-star setting. We rarely saw the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder blocked over the course of two weeks in Mobile and San Antonio.
1/07/23
Yhonzae Pierre a top performer at All-American Bowl week
Yhonzae Pierre backed up a strong showing at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game in December with an even better week at the All-American Bowl. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder was the top pass rusher – and perhaps overall player – on the West team. Pierre did what he wanted in practice, showing high-end quickness and a nasty cross-over as a pass rusher off the edge. This carried over to the game on Saturday, where Pierre provided constant pressure, as early as the first drive. The Eufaula (Ala.) High product has considerable room to develop physically once he’s in Alabama’s strength program, but he already showed to be one of the more electric pass rushers in the 2023 cycle.
