He is the highest drafted wide receiver in school history
Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce became the highest drafted wide receiver in school history when the Indianapolis Colts selected the Glen Ellyn, Ill., native on Friday night in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 53 overall pick.
"I couldn't be more excited for Alec and his family," Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell said. "Alec is tough, intelligent and an incredible athlete. The Colts are getting a guy who has the potential to be a star in this league. He's an explosive player, and we weren't surprised when he tested off the charts at the combine. He's obviously a smart guy, earning an engineering degree and receiving First Team Academic All-America. He's got such a competitive streak that I tried to move him to linebacker when he was a freshman. We are glad he moved back to wide receiver. I'm excited to see him grow in Indianapolis."
Pierce opened eyes all season with his deep and jump-ball capabilities, setting career-highs in receiving yards (867) and touchdowns (eight), that included 13 plays of 20-plus yards. His 17.34 yards per catch was the fourth-highest mark in school history, helped by a career-high 144 yards in the Notre Dame win. He also had a 21-yard score and 44-yard catch in the AAC Championship Game.
Pierce, named to Bruce Feldman's annual "Freaks" List, also became Cincinnati's first CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American since 1997, earning his mechanical engineering degree in 3 1/2 years. He played just six games in 2020 due to injury, but still managed 17 catches for 315 yards (18.5 per reception) and three touchdowns.
Pierce is the seventh wide receiver drafted all-time and the first since Chris Moore went in the fourth round (No. 111) to the Baltimore Ravens in 2016.
He's the first Bearcat drafted by the Colts since defensive lineman Ricardo Matthews was a seventh round pick in 2010.
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