2006: Started all 10 games at defensive tackle as a redshirt-junior...named honorable mention all-PFL...teammed with nose guard Ryan Young to serve as the anchor of the defense and combine for 66 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, two quarterback hurries and a pass deflection...ranked eighth overall and led all defensive linemen with 33 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and a pass deflection...tallied a career-high seven tackles (two solo) with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack at Davidson (10/7)...recorded four tackles (two for loss) and a sack against No. 1 San Diego (11/4)...forced a fumble to go along with five tackles against Gardner-Webb (9/2)...broke up a pass at Southeastern Louisiana (9/16).

2005: Started in all eight games at defensive tackle as a redshirt-sophomore...teamed with fellow tackle Ryan Young to anchor the Dolphin defense as the duo combined for 64 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a sack...ranked third among defensive lineman with 24 tackles...registered his lone sack of the season at No. 1 Dayton (10/1)...finished with a career-high six tackles (three solo) at Austin Peay (10/22)...also tallied four tackles against Butler (9/24) and Davidson (10/15).

2004: Started all 10 games at defensive tackle as a redshirt freshman...finished the season with 22 tackles...ranked third on the team with five tackles for loss (-16 yards)...also blocked a kick at No. 9 Valparaiso...had multiple tackles in seven contests, including a career-best three stops at Wingate, Davidson and No. 10 Morehead State, as well as against Charleston Southern, Drake and Austin Peay.

2003: Sat out his freshman season as a redshirt.

High School: Three-year starter at linebacker at Bartow High School for coach Richie Marsh...earned all-county honors as a senior as the Yellow Jackets went 8-4...also earned two letters in track & field, where he qualified for the regionals in the discus...also lettered two years in weightlifting.

Personal: Born May 9, 1985 in Bartow, Fla...son of Tommy and Dolores Pierce...has a sister, Jennifer...majoring in exercise science.