Dameon Pierce

Dameon Pierce's Biography

Dameon Pierce came into the world on the 19th day of February in the year 2000. Today, he is well-known in American professional football as a running back and kickoff returner for the Houston Texans, a position he has held since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Pierce’s early life and development took place in Bainbridge, Georgia, where he was born and raised. His talent in football was evident even as a young schoolboy attending Bainbridge High School. As a senior at the school, Pierce made headlines by rushing for 2,123 yards and 32 touchdowns, making him an attractive prospect for college recruiters. His high school career concluded proudly with an impressive 6,779 rushing yards and 92 total touchdowns to his name.

His formidable skills as a running back drew the attention of many major colleges, leading to multiple offers from prestigious schools including Alabama, Miami (FL), Georgia, South Carolina, Auburn, and Florida State. However, the star athlete was most attracted to what the University of Florida had to offer. This commitment marked the beginning of his collegiate career, one that saw him flourish even further as a footballer.

In his freshman season at Florida, Pierce showcased his pace and agility by rushing for 424 yards and two touchdowns on 69 attempts. The following year proved to be no different as he continued to improve and refine his skills on the field, rushing 305 yards and four touchdowns. In addition to his role as a running back, Pierce served on special teams during his freshman and sophomore years.

Pierce’s junior year was highlighted by his leadership on the field where he led the Gators with 503 rushing yards and four touchdowns, in addition to receiving 17 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown. His senior season delivered equally impressive numbers; with 574 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns from 100 carries, and 19 catches for 216 yards and three touchdowns.

The culmination of his dedication and talent came in 2022 when the Houston Texans selected him as the 107th overall pick during the fourth round of the NFL draft. Surviving final roster cuts, the Texans named Pierce the first-string running back for the 2022 season.

He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, with 11 carries for a total of 33 rushing yards. His performance helped his team to a 20–20 tie. In his third week on the field, Pierce made a significant milestone, scoring his first professional touchdown on a one-yard rush against the Chicago Bears.

Within a short time, Pierce emerged as one of the most promising players on the team. His impressive performance against the Los Angeles Chargers saw him rush for 131 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, 75-yards of which came from a single iconic rush. Moreover, he achieved a personal record in Week 9, against the Philadelphia Eagles, with 27 carries for 139 rushing yards.

Unfortunately, an ankle injury cut his season short during week 13’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite the setback, his rookie season stats remained impressive, ending with 939 rushing yards and four touchdowns, along with 30 catches for 165 yards and one touchdown from 13 games and starts.

However, the subsequent year, 2023, brought tough times. Following a season of struggles, Pierce lost his first-string running back position to Devin Singletary. On December 24, 2023, despite losing to the Cleveland Browns, Pierce put on an outstanding performance, returning a kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown. The season concluded with less impressive numbers compared to his first year: 416 rushing yards averaging 2.8 yards per carry, only two touchdowns, alongside 13 catches for 101 yards.