Hollin Pierce OT Rutgers | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Hollin Pierce OT Rutgers
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Left/Right Tackle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.42 seconds (20%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUB-POSITION: Left/Right Tackle | |
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.42 seconds (20%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 82.6 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
|
87% |
| Run Blocking: |
|
86% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#137
Position rank:
#23
|
||
| College Games: 51 College Snaps: 3172 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaxson Kirkland - Washington |
|
69% |
| Thayer Munford - Ohio State |
|
69% |
| Javon Foster - Missouri |
|
67% |
Draft Profile: Bio
From 450-pound prospect to NFL hopeful, Hollin Pierce's journey epitomizes perseverance and transformation. The 6'8", 342-pound behemoth from Trenton, New Jersey took the unconventional path, going from unranked high school athlete to Fork Union Military Academy, where he began shedding significant weight from his once nearly 450-pound frame. Pierce ultimately walked on at Rutgers in 2020, where his dedication would slowly transform him into one of the Big Ten's most imposing offensive linemen.After making his starting debut in 2021 with 12 starts at right tackle, Pierce's development accelerated rapidly. He transitioned to left tackle in 2023, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors before elevating his game further in 2024 with Second Team All-Big Ten recognition. Throughout his collegiate career, Pierce started 50 consecutive games, demonstrating remarkable durability while allowing just 15 sacks over 3,172 offensive snaps and committing only four penalties – a testament to his discipline in an era where holding calls plague many tackles.
The mammoth tackle's 2024 campaign solidified his draft stock as he anchored an offensive line that ranked third in the Big Ten in rushing (175.3 YPG) while allowing two or fewer sacks in 9 of 13 games. Pierce's massive frame helped pave the way for the Scarlet Knights' most productive offensive output since 2008, generating 28.9 points per game and 4,975 yards of total offense – the fourth-highest season total in program history. His invitation to both the NFL Combine and Shrine Bowl validated his transformation from walk-on to legitimate NFL prospect.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Possesses rare physical dimensions that simply can't be taught – a 6'8" frame with 342 pounds of mass and go-go-gadget arms that give edge rushers nightmares trying to navigate around his massive radius.
- Displays uncanny discipline for a player his size, committing just four penalties over 3,172 snaps while maintaining consistent leverage despite his height disadvantage against most defensive ends.
- Unleashes devastating raw power on down blocks, creating comical displacement when matched up against smaller defensive linemen – I've seen him drive defenders five yards downfield like they're on skates.
- Shows exceptional versatility having started 25 games at right tackle before successfully transitioning to left tackle for his final 25 starts without missing a beat.
- Executes an effective trap technique with his outside hand that funnels rushers wider than intended, essentially serving as a human toll booth that charges a steep price for passage.
- Demonstrates surprising awareness against stunts and blitzes, rarely looking confused by defensive movement despite his limited athletic profile.
- Maintains a remarkably consistent base in pass protection, rarely crossing his feet and maintaining width that forces defenders to take circuitous routes to the quarterback.
- Brings a brawler's mentality to the run game, finishing blocks with nastiness and showing a genuine desire to bury defenders into the turf when given the opportunity.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Shows athletic limitations with a bottom-tier 40-time, making him vulnerable against speed rushers who can threaten the edge with burst and bend.
- Displays concerning tightness through his hips and trunk, struggling to redirect against inside counters once committed outside – watch the Michigan game where this was repeatedly exploited.
- Lacks recovery quickness when beaten initially, leaving him vulnerable to counter moves as he lacks the agility to reset his position against savvy pass rushers.
- Tends to bail out of his pass set prematurely against speed rushers, flipping his hips too early and creating inside rush lanes that more technically sound defenders will happily exploit.
- Shows troubling tendency to hinge at the waist rather than bend at the knees when fatigued, creating leverage issues that negate his size advantage and leave him vulnerable to bull rushes.
Scouting Report: Summary
The massive frame and raw power profile suggest immediate utility as a swing tackle with developmental upside. Natural anchor strength and length provide tools to contribute in pass protection, while the mauler mentality translates well to gap/power run schemes. However, athletic limitations and technical refinement needs indicate a longer runway to starting-caliber play.Scheme-specific deployment will be crucial early, as zone-heavy systems will expose lateral mobility constraints. Best early fit comes in gap/power run schemes where double-team effectiveness and down-blocking power can be maximized while pass protection technique develops. Pure speed rushers and complex pressure packages present significant challenges that must be addressed through technical development.
Natural power and length provide foundation for growth, but mechanical inconsistencies and athletic limitations create clear ceiling. Ideal fit comes with power-running team featuring veteran offensive line room and established development track record.
Hollin Pierce percentiles vs other Offensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Hollin Pierce (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
172.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
34.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.