2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

86 - CASEY PIERCE
Tight End
Kent State
Parma, Ohio Ht: 6-3 Wt: 247
Year: Rookie Born: 8/21/91
Draft: FA-Det ‘15
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent
on May 7, 2015.
COLLEGE
A four-year impact player for the Golden Flashes, finished his
career at Kent State ranked eight in career touchdown receptions
(11) and 11th in career receptions (97). Ended his career with two
or more catches in 18 straight games and three or more catches in
12 consecutive games.
2014: Led the team in catches (60), receiving yards (641) and
touchdowns (six) as a senior team captain and was named Second
Team All- MAC and Academic All-MAC. His 60 receptions were the
most by a Kent State player since 2004 and set a record for catches
in a season by a tight end (previous record was 47). His 641 receiving
yards were also the most by any Kent State player since 2010.
‣ ¾ Started all 11 games and was the co-recipient of the Matt
Ramser Award, an award given for courage, dedication, attitude
and commitment to the Kent State football program.
‣ ¾ Recorded career-highs of 12 receptions for 127 yards at
Bowling Green.
‣ ¾ Named the John Mackey Tight End of the Week after a twotouchdown
performance against Army.
2013: Emerged as a vertical threat in the Golden Flashes offense,
leading the team in touchdown grabs with five and finishing with 33
receptions for 364 yards. Was one of 53 nominees for the Burlsworth
Trophy, given to the nation’s best player that started his career as
a walk-on player.
‣ ¾ Set then-career highs of five receptions for 71 yards against
Buffalo.
‣ ¾ Grabbed his first career touchdown in the victory against Liberty.
2012: Played in 13 games as a sophomore, making three starts.
‣ ¾ Made his first start in the team’s 23-7 victory over Buffalo.
2011: As a redshirt freshman, appeared in 10 games and made his
first career appearance in the season opener at Alabama.
PERSONAL
Played quarterback at Normandy (Ohio) High School and finished his
prep career with 22 touchdown passes, 1,500 passing yards, 1,400
rushing yards, as well as 125 tackles and three interceptions on
defense. Earned first team all-conference honors twice.
‣ ¾ Also lettered in basketball at Normandy.
‣ ¾ Son of Ann and Doug Pierce. Older brother, Justin, also attended
Kent State.
46 - KEVIN SNYDER
Linebacker
Rutgers
Mechanicsburg, Pa. Ht: 6-2 Wt: 240
Year: Rookie Born: 7/25/92
Draft: FA-Det ‘15
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent
on May 7, 2015.
COLLEGE
Played in 51 games over the course of his four-year career at Rutgers,
racking up 229 total tackles (114 solo), 6.5 sacks (48 yards), one
forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 10 pass defenses.
2014: Started 11 of the 12 games in 2014 to close out his senior
season, finishing fourth on the team with 63 tackles, second on the
team with five pass defenses and earned the Loyal Knight Award
at the team banquet, presented to the player who has displayed
great character in sacrificing personal goals for the good of the team.
‣ ¾ One of 27 Knights to earn Big Ten All-Academic honors.
‣ ¾ Finished his college career with seven total tackles in Rutgers’
win over North Carolina in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit (12/26).
2013: Earned starts in all 13 games at linebacker, finishing second
on the team in tackles with 96.
‣ ¾ Had 12 tackles against Temple, including an assist on fourth
down late in the fourth quarter to help setup the winning score
for Rutgers.
2012: Appeared in all 13 games on the season with one start against
Louisville, seeing time at both MLB and SLB. Set season-bests with
1.5 tackles for loss and one sack vs. Howard.
2011: As a rookie, played in all 13 games, making his first collegiate
appearance in the team’s 48-0 win over North Carolina Central.
Finished the year with 40 total tackles (13 solo) and one sack
(eight yards).
PERSONAL
Was a three-year starter for head coach Tim Rimpfel at Cumberland
Valley (Pa.) High School where he started three years on offense at
halfback and was a two-year starter as a junior and senior at outside
linebacker. Led the Eagles to a 12-3 record and an appearance in
the PIAA Class AAA state semifinals as a senior. Was a PIAA Class
AAAA First Team All-State selection as a senior.
‣ ¾ Ranked as the No. 28 prospect in Pennsylvania according to
SuperPrep Magazine and was a three-star recruit per ESPN.
com, Scout.com and Rivals.com
‣ ¾ Majored in economics at Rutgers.
DETROIT LIONS
PLAYER PROFILES