Name: Trey Pierce
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 315 lbs.
High school: Oak Lawn (IL) Brother Rice
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #95
Last year: I ranked Pierce #98 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in thirteen games and made 2 tackles.
TTB Rating: 79
As a freshman in 2023, Pierce joined a team that didn't really need a lot of help at nose tackle on paper. They had Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant on the roster, plus veteran UCF transfer Cam Goode and redshirt sophomore Ike Iwunnah. So the likelihood of needing a 290 pound true freshman seemed low. Instead, Pierce played in thirteen games. His play wasn't necessarily stellar - he finished with a 50.5 grade from PFF - but he didn't look out of place on the field.
This year Pierce's contributions will be needed more after Goode's departure. Michigan also lost defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, meaning Graham and Grant will be spread a little bit thinner eating up some of Jenkins's snaps. Theoretically, Pierce might very well end up as the #2 nose tackle on the depth chart, but in actuality, he'll probably be #3 behind Graham and Grant. With Pierce up to 315 pounds this season, he should be a little more viable as a nose tackle.
Prediction: Backup nose tackle
Tough position to play early. That they got him on the field as a TrFR may signal hope
ReplyDeleteThis is probably pretty low if he's the top NT off the bench and ahead of Etta. With Michigan wanting to rotate at least 5 on the interior and Iwunnah being ranked so low, and the fact that Michigan tried to bring in DT reinforcements, I think Pierce is a critical piece, even if he's well behind Graham, Grant, and Benny.
ReplyDeleteWe REALLY want Pierce to be making a leap this season and positioning himself for a starting role next season.