Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Pierce builds a career as a dependable target for the Blue Raider offense
10/20/2021 6:30:00 PM | Football
“Everybody’s just got a job to do, and I just want to be the best at it.”
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Sneak out onto the practice field during warmups on a Tuesday afternoon, or in the middle of a shell drill in the middle of practice, or just take a glance at the sideline during the spec ops practice in the final periods of the day, and you might spot Jarrin Pierce entertaining his teammates.
A little singing, a little dancing, an occasional battle with Gregory Grate on who can remember the most songs, it's all par for the course for Pierce.
"Jarrin is a phenomenal singer and dancer," his offensive coordinator, Brent Dearmon, says with a smile. "He brings an energy and excitement to practice every day."
What might most surprise folks about Pierce's musicality is that the songs he often breaks out are old school favorites. R&B Classics, Motown legend covers, "some stuff the grown folks would be listening to," Pierce said.
"He's going to be himself," quarterback Chase Cunningham said. "Bad day, good day, he's always going to be himself, and I think that's a big thing for him, that he gets everybody else going."
A captain in 2021, Pierce certainly helps set the tone for the team just by being himself, "Seconding that Emotion" and all that jazz. But quietly, he's put together an impressive streak for the Blue Raiders, catching a pass in every single game he's played in his Middle Tennessee career thus far, 27 total. It's tied for the 12th longest streak in the nation, and has helped rocket him up the career receptions board, where he currently sits eighth, just two receptions away from passing Ed Batties.
Working out of a slot role most of his career, it's no surprise the 5-foot-11 Pierce has become a reliable target for three different Blue Raider quarterbacks (Asher O'Hara, Bailey Hockman, Chase Cunningham) over that streak. Pierce's knack for finding soft spots in the zone and recognizing coverage help him get open often, and the extra work he puts in with his QBs after practice help him take advantage of the second-long windows that open on game day.
"I already know I've got to make my job easier for them," Pierce said of working with his quarterbacks. "Whatever I do, I've got to bounce off them. We've got to be on the same page no matter who the quarterback is."
Of his 126 career receptions, a few standout in Pierce's mind. There was the time he Moss'd a Roadrunner defensive back while another was draped over top of him at UTSA in 2020, the toe tapping catch when North Texas visited that year as well.
But what Pierce really loves is when he hauls in a catch, and the other team just has to take a look in the replay booth.
"Any catch that people would have to review, that they don't think that was a catch, those are the catches I like the most," Pierce said. He's hauled in two of those this season, a toe-tapper against Marshall and classic "process of the catch" completion at Charlotte. Both had to go to the booth, and both were confirmed. Not a surprise to Jarrin Pierce.
"It's no doubt, it's confidence. I automatically know," Pierce said. "I love how the coach trusts me. Coach Stock will just ask me, "was that a catch?" and I'll be like "yes, sir". Everybody's just got a job to do, and I just want to be the best at it."
Pierce doesn't think about the 27-game streak all the time, though as a self-proclaimed "numbers guy", he's well aware of its significance. He's just grateful for the opportunity he's had thus far, and the chance to continue to improve on it each and every week.
"I just try to better myself each week, trying to keep the consistency," Pierce said. "I just want to keep going, keep this train going, this momentum going every time."
For Dearmon and Cunningham, the current other half of the catch streak, they know how much the streak means to Pierce. And with his dependability in the slot, they fully expect it to keep going if they execute their game plan each week.
"I love the way that he attacks every day," Dearmon said. "He's a professional. We've got to find a way to get it to 28. No pressure on us, but we've got to continue that streak."
A little singing, a little dancing, an occasional battle with Gregory Grate on who can remember the most songs, it's all par for the course for Pierce.
"Jarrin is a phenomenal singer and dancer," his offensive coordinator, Brent Dearmon, says with a smile. "He brings an energy and excitement to practice every day."
What might most surprise folks about Pierce's musicality is that the songs he often breaks out are old school favorites. R&B Classics, Motown legend covers, "some stuff the grown folks would be listening to," Pierce said.
"He's going to be himself," quarterback Chase Cunningham said. "Bad day, good day, he's always going to be himself, and I think that's a big thing for him, that he gets everybody else going."
A captain in 2021, Pierce certainly helps set the tone for the team just by being himself, "Seconding that Emotion" and all that jazz. But quietly, he's put together an impressive streak for the Blue Raiders, catching a pass in every single game he's played in his Middle Tennessee career thus far, 27 total. It's tied for the 12th longest streak in the nation, and has helped rocket him up the career receptions board, where he currently sits eighth, just two receptions away from passing Ed Batties.
Working out of a slot role most of his career, it's no surprise the 5-foot-11 Pierce has become a reliable target for three different Blue Raider quarterbacks (Asher O'Hara, Bailey Hockman, Chase Cunningham) over that streak. Pierce's knack for finding soft spots in the zone and recognizing coverage help him get open often, and the extra work he puts in with his QBs after practice help him take advantage of the second-long windows that open on game day.
"I already know I've got to make my job easier for them," Pierce said of working with his quarterbacks. "Whatever I do, I've got to bounce off them. We've got to be on the same page no matter who the quarterback is."
Of his 126 career receptions, a few standout in Pierce's mind. There was the time he Moss'd a Roadrunner defensive back while another was draped over top of him at UTSA in 2020, the toe tapping catch when North Texas visited that year as well.
ICYMI: Jarrin Pierce (@jarrinpierce3) came in at #6 on @SportsCenter Top 10 last night with his catch between two defenders vs. UTSA.#BlueRaiders | #EATT | #MT pic.twitter.com/x8ZTFvSYav
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) September 26, 2020
Jarrin Pierce with the 𝐭𝐨𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐠 𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐠!#BlueRaiders | #EATT | #MT | @jarrinpierce3 pic.twitter.com/XfjVfVto8L
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 21, 2020
But what Pierce really loves is when he hauls in a catch, and the other team just has to take a look in the replay booth.
"Any catch that people would have to review, that they don't think that was a catch, those are the catches I like the most," Pierce said. He's hauled in two of those this season, a toe-tapper against Marshall and classic "process of the catch" completion at Charlotte. Both had to go to the booth, and both were confirmed. Not a surprise to Jarrin Pierce.
"It's no doubt, it's confidence. I automatically know," Pierce said. "I love how the coach trusts me. Coach Stock will just ask me, "was that a catch?" and I'll be like "yes, sir". Everybody's just got a job to do, and I just want to be the best at it."
Spoiler alert: this insane play by @jarrinpierce3 was overturned and ruled a TD!
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) September 28, 2021
We are looking forward to seeing more highlight catches from "The Playmaker" this Saturday vs. Marshall. #BlueRaiders | #EATT pic.twitter.com/pip4QBaWgC
This is three straight games with a #SCTop10 worthy touchdown grab for @jarrinpierce3.
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 3, 2021
The guy's a playmaker. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nwo5gfw6T4
Pierce doesn't think about the 27-game streak all the time, though as a self-proclaimed "numbers guy", he's well aware of its significance. He's just grateful for the opportunity he's had thus far, and the chance to continue to improve on it each and every week.
"I just try to better myself each week, trying to keep the consistency," Pierce said. "I just want to keep going, keep this train going, this momentum going every time."
For Dearmon and Cunningham, the current other half of the catch streak, they know how much the streak means to Pierce. And with his dependability in the slot, they fully expect it to keep going if they execute their game plan each week.
"I love the way that he attacks every day," Dearmon said. "He's a professional. We've got to find a way to get it to 28. No pressure on us, but we've got to continue that streak."
2️⃣7️⃣ consecutive games with a catch for JP. 🤯
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) October 13, 2021
That's tied for 6th best in program history and tied for the 11th longest active streak.@jarrinpierce3 | #EATT pic.twitter.com/EfFW3kKi5A
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