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Vanderbilt Commodores: Chris Pierce Gives Vandy A Legitimate Playmaker

By Zach Ragan

Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason reacts to a play during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Commodores 23-16. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason reacts to a play during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Commodores 23-16. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Vanderbilt Commodores landed a commitment from three-star wide receiver Chris Pierce on Monday night.

Vanderbilt received a late addition to their 2017 recruiting class on Monday evening with Chris Pierce’s commitment.

Pierce is a 6’4″/212 lb wide receiver from Smithfield, VA (Smithfield). He’s rated by 247Sports as the 43rd best player in the state of Virginia and the 207th best wide receiver in the nation.

The Commodores’ top receiver last season was C.J. Duncan, who caught 44 passes for 492 yards.

Vanderbilt only had three players with more than 400 receiving yards in 2016 (Caleb Scott and Trent Sherfield were the other two).

Perhaps more concerning than the low yardage totals was the fact that only one wide receiver, Kalija Lipscomb, had multiple receiving touchdowns.

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In fact, the Commodores only had nine receiving touchdowns last season.

There are teams that have nine receiving touchdowns in a two game span.

But what’s really odd about that low number is that Vandy has a solid quarterback.

Kyle Shurmur threw for 2,409 yards as a sophomore in 2016. His quarterback rating was 110.9.

Those are pretty decent numbers.

Which is why Shurmur should be thrilled that Vanderbilt landed a big wide receiver target.

Chris Pierce probably isn’t going to stretch the field a whole lot (his 40 time, according to 247Sports, is 4.68).

But at 6’4″, he will provide Shurmur and the Commodores with a consistent red zone target.

He will also be a move the chains type player for Vandy. Both of which are things that were missed last season.

I have little doubt that Pierce can come in a contribute at Vanderbilt from day one. It wouldn’t surprise me if he eventually ends up being one of the more consistent wide receivers in the SEC East.

Vandy fans should be excited about Pierce, he’s going to help add another element to the offense in 2017.

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