Good Morning Gators: Dameon Pierce won Texans over with helmet-less TD run
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The Houston Texas chose violence when they selected Florida’s Dameon Pierce with the 107th overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
Pierce, who was PFF’s highest graded back in 2021, described his running style “violent” during his introductory Zoom call.
“I like to fight for my yards. I like to punish the defense. I don’t like taking hits. I like giving hits,” Pierce said. “That’s the type of runner I am.
“I want to have high energy on the football field, especially if we’re running the ball. Let’s go bulldoze all the way into the end zone if we have to.”
That’s exactly what a helmet-less Pierce did in Florida’s regular season finale against rival FSU. His helmet was ripped off at the 4-yard line, but he broke two tackles and plowed into in the end zone.
His touchdown run, although negated by a penalty, won over Houston general manager Nick Caserio.
“One of the highlights they showed, the guy’s helmet was ripped off, but he kept running. He doesn’t care about his physical well-being. He is trying to be a football player,” Caserio said. “When you have players that carry the ball like that, offensive linemen want to block for people that have that mentality.
“We talk about straining. We talk about finishing and getting the extra yard. When you see a player that does that, that does everything he can to try to gain extra yards … that can maybe make the difference in a score at the end of the game.”
RELATED: Dameon Pierce expected to push for starting job in Houston as rookie
In other Florida football news
- According to Gators Online sources, a new transfer target has emerged for Florida on the defensive side of the ball.
- With the 2022 NFL Draft in the books, Gators Online takes a look at Florida’s top five prospects for the 2023 draft class.
- Pro Football Focus has released its way-too-early 2023 mock draft, which projected a UF player to go in the first round.
UF recruiting roundup
- Florida co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney will continue visiting Alabama talent on Tuesday, including a top-50 overall recruit.
- One of UF’s top targets overall, five-star defensive lineman Peter Woods, has scheduled an official visit with Billy Napier’s staff.
- Gators co-defensive coordinator Sean Spencer is expected to drop by and see an On300 defensive lineman this week.
- Texas A&M commit Anthony James, a top-150 overall recruit in the On3 Consensus, has locked in his UF official visit.
Gators sports roundup
- The Florida men’s tennis team and the women’s tennis team were both selected Monday to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in their respective sports.
- Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas was named the 2022 Honda Sports Award recipient Monday, an honor given annually to the nation’s top collegiate female athlete in her sport.
Let’s keep talking
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Gators Twitter updates
- Florida inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman on the recruiting trail Monday:
