A one-time 455-pound high schooler who reshaped his body and walked on at Rutgers before reaching the NFL.
Hollin Pierce's path to the league is one of the more remarkable transformation stories in football: an unranked walk-on out of Fork Union Military Academy who once weighed 455 pounds, he became a two-time All-Big Ten offensive tackle at Rutgers. He now brings his 6-foot-8 frame to the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line.
Path to the league
Pierce attended Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, where he transformed his body before walking on at Rutgers as an unranked recruit. He went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft but signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2025.
Career highlights
Over parts of five seasons at Rutgers, Pierce appeared in 52 games with 50 starts, moving to left tackle for his 2023 season and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors that year. He posted an 85.4 Pro Football Focus grade as a senior, second-best among Big Ten tackles, and was twice nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors former walk-ons.
2025 season recap
Pierce did not make the Eagles' initial 53-man roster but stayed with the organization on the practice squad. Philadelphia signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 12, 2026, keeping the massive tackle in the pipeline for a roster spot.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Hollin Pierce
- Rutgers Rivals: Rutgers OT Hollin Pierce signs UDFA contract with the Philadelphia Eagles
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- Rutgers
- Hometown
- Trenton, NJ, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
