Longtime WR target anchors down

Smithfield (Va.) wide receiver Chris Pierce became the latest target to give his verbal pledge to the Commodores, breaking the news during an announcement before his basketball game on Monday.

Pierce recently took his official visit to West End on the weekend of January 20th, that's when he was sold on the Commodores.

"One of the biggest things I really appreciated wasn't just the coaches, but the people and players there. They understood that it was a program to benefit from and they approached me as a person that help them and a place that I can actually fit in. Not only stay there, but make a difference there. That definitely helps, knowing that I can make impact," Pierce noted about his impressions of Vanderbilt a week ago.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound prospect originally received an offer back on September 1st where the Vanderbilt staff liked him as a linebacker, but as his season progressed and he was evaluated in-person the Commodores realized his potential as a tall, lengthy outside wide receiver.

The 3-star rated prospect chose the Commodores over offers from Old Dominion, Temple, Boston College, Maryland, UCF, Virginia, Wake Forest, and others.

He becomes the 18th commitment for the Commodores, joining Cardinal Gibbons product James Bostic as wide receiver pledges in the 2017 class.

MORE: WR target previews officia visit | Pierce impressed with Vanderbilt after visit