NDSU

* 2019 Phil Steele Freshman All-America Fourth Team
* 2022 MVFC Honor Roll

2022 SEASON (SENIOR): Started 13 games at defensive end...Missed the Western Illinois and North Dakota games due to injury...Made 22 total tackles including 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks...Credited with three quarterback hurries...Recovered a fumble against North Carolina A&T that led to a Bison touchdown four plays later...Season-high four tackles twice against North Carolina A&T and in the NCAA championship game against South Dakota State...Named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll.

2021 SEASON (JUNIOR): Played in 14 of 15 games...Made two starts at defensive end against North Dakota and Northern Iowa...Credited with 26 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks...Also had two pass breakups...Tied a career high with four tackles in wins over Valparaiso and North Dakota...Career-high 2.0 sacks in the NCAA semifinal win over James Madison.

2020-21 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Appeared in all 10 games and made four starts at defensive end...Made 26 tackles and was fourth on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss...Had 2.0 sacks including a solo sack in the first round of the NCAA playoffs against Eastern Washington...Tied a career high with four tackles in the home win over Illinois State.

2019 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in 12 of 16 games at defensive end...Made 23 total tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks...Credited with three quarterback hurries...Career-high four tackles in regular-season wins over Illinois State and South Dakota...Was in on three stops in the national championship victory over James Madison...Named to the Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America fourth team.

2018 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Played in three games as a redshirt for the Bison...Appeared in the non-conference wins over North Alabama and Delaware and a home win over Southern Illinois...Made one tackle against Delaware and one against SIU.

HIGH SCHOOL: 2018 graduate of Auburndale High School...Three-year letterman and two-year starter for coach Dan Morse...Two-time all-conference and all-state, including first team honors in 2017...Team captain as a senior...In six games, had 37 tackles with 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries...Charted 103 career tackles with 35 TFLs, 18 sacks and 31 hurries...Also caused two fumbles, made an interception and broke up seven passes...Competes in track and field...State medalist and school record holder in the shot put (56 feet) and the discus throw (157 feet).

PERSONAL: Graduated from NDSU in December 2022 with a bachelor's degree in psychology...Son of Tony Pierce Sr. and Cheryl Thornton...Has two sisters, Anea and Chantell...Has two cousins that played FBS football, Oregon State running back Artavis Pierce and UMass receiver Jessie Britt, who transferred to Duquesne.