Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Pierce making sweet music on and off the field
9/11/2019 6:00:00 PM | Football, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Through two games of the 2019 season, it's clear Middle Tennessee wide receiver Jarrin Pierce has built a connection with his teammates and coaches on the field. Off the field, that connection spreads.
The 5-11, 185-pound speedster from Los Angeles transferred to MT this season after two successful years at College of the Canyons, a community college in Santa Clarita, California.
He's proven why he was a priority target for the Blue Raiders. After two games, he's second on the team in receptions (8) and receiving yards (100), and leads the way with two touchdown grabs.
"I really like Jarrin," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "I really like his personality and his smile. He loves football, and he comes to work every day. He competes every day and every play at practice … I like his willingness to learn and get better every day. He's had a nice start to his season."
There's also a bit of a reason why Pierce prioritized Middle Tennessee.
One day, he hopes to have a career in the music industry, either as a music engineer or songwriter. With MT's storied music program and being so close to Nashville, "Music City," playing for the Blue Raiders was obviously a big draw.
"I heard about the music scene … and did some research on it," Pierce said. "At the end of the day, it felt like this is kind of where I'm meant to be.
"I want to be able to mix and master other people's records. I just want to do what I love and be around music."
Music has always been a big part of Pierce's life. He's a talented vocalist, and he grew up in a family full of musicians.
"Music is what I like to do," he said. "Music is a big part of my family, so it's kind of in my blood. I sing in my spare time … and I feel like God blessed me with a good voice. When the music comes on, it brings another side of me out. You really find out who the real Jarrin is."
Being able to fall back into music has helped Pierce transition into life away from home.
He was born and raised in Los Angeles, and chose to stay close to his family for two more years when he went to College of the Canyons. Middle Tennessee isn't exactly a short jaunt from Southern California, and Pierce hasn't escaped a little feeling of homesickness.
"I miss it all the time," he said. "It was a little bit of a culture shock coming here, but it's been good so far."
On the field, he was also able to lean on the lessons he learned at College of the Canyons to help ease his transition from JUCO to Division I.
"College of the Canyons is one of the best JUCO schools you can go to, to prepare you for DI," Pierce said. "Everything we do here — waking up and going to meetings, watching a load of film — we were doing at College of the Canyons … so the transition was easy."
He's also made the transition look easy on the field.
Pierce is a special route runner, as evidenced by his 30-yard touchdown against Tennessee State where he used a double move — maybe more of a dance shimmy — to confuse his defender. Stockstill described it after the game as a "big time route."
"I'm just thankful for every opportunity I get to play on this field and for the Blue Raiders," Pierce said. "I just want to do whatever I can do help the team."
As the season moves along, Pierce hopes to keep making beautiful music in the passing game.
There's really only one song he wants to hear over and over again for the next couple of months: the Blue Raider fight song after a touchdown.
The 5-11, 185-pound speedster from Los Angeles transferred to MT this season after two successful years at College of the Canyons, a community college in Santa Clarita, California.
He's proven why he was a priority target for the Blue Raiders. After two games, he's second on the team in receptions (8) and receiving yards (100), and leads the way with two touchdown grabs.
"I really like Jarrin," head coach Rick Stockstill said. "I really like his personality and his smile. He loves football, and he comes to work every day. He competes every day and every play at practice … I like his willingness to learn and get better every day. He's had a nice start to his season."
There's also a bit of a reason why Pierce prioritized Middle Tennessee.
One day, he hopes to have a career in the music industry, either as a music engineer or songwriter. With MT's storied music program and being so close to Nashville, "Music City," playing for the Blue Raiders was obviously a big draw.
"I heard about the music scene … and did some research on it," Pierce said. "At the end of the day, it felt like this is kind of where I'm meant to be.
"I want to be able to mix and master other people's records. I just want to do what I love and be around music."
Music has always been a big part of Pierce's life. He's a talented vocalist, and he grew up in a family full of musicians.
"Music is what I like to do," he said. "Music is a big part of my family, so it's kind of in my blood. I sing in my spare time … and I feel like God blessed me with a good voice. When the music comes on, it brings another side of me out. You really find out who the real Jarrin is."
Being able to fall back into music has helped Pierce transition into life away from home.
He was born and raised in Los Angeles, and chose to stay close to his family for two more years when he went to College of the Canyons. Middle Tennessee isn't exactly a short jaunt from Southern California, and Pierce hasn't escaped a little feeling of homesickness.
"I miss it all the time," he said. "It was a little bit of a culture shock coming here, but it's been good so far."
On the field, he was also able to lean on the lessons he learned at College of the Canyons to help ease his transition from JUCO to Division I.
"College of the Canyons is one of the best JUCO schools you can go to, to prepare you for DI," Pierce said. "Everything we do here — waking up and going to meetings, watching a load of film — we were doing at College of the Canyons … so the transition was easy."
He's also made the transition look easy on the field.
Pierce is a special route runner, as evidenced by his 30-yard touchdown against Tennessee State where he used a double move — maybe more of a dance shimmy — to confuse his defender. Stockstill described it after the game as a "big time route."
"I'm just thankful for every opportunity I get to play on this field and for the Blue Raiders," Pierce said. "I just want to do whatever I can do help the team."
As the season moves along, Pierce hopes to keep making beautiful music in the passing game.
There's really only one song he wants to hear over and over again for the next couple of months: the Blue Raider fight song after a touchdown.
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