Arkansas linebackers coach Michael Scherer made his second trip to the Dallas area to check on 2024 linebacker target Payton Pierce on Saturday.
Pierce, 6-2, 225 pounds, of Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, took on South Oak Cliff in the 5A-II Region II final at Frisco’s Ford Center with Scherer on the sidelines.
Scherer also watched linebacker commitment Jordan Crook and Duncanville defeat DeSoto 38-20 at the Ford Center on Saturday.
He and tight ends coach Dowell Loggains visited Lovejoy before the Razorbacks’ 20-10 victory over Texas A&M on Sept. 25. Arkansas is also recruiting Pierce’s teammate and sophomore receiver Parker Livingstone.
“I was pumped that he came,” Pierce said. “I was playing injured and wish I would have been healthy and made a better showing, but I was super grateful that he cared enough to come watch. Coach Scherer has been awesome and I am thankful of how consistent he has been in keeping track of myself and our team.”
Pierce was a tackling machine for the Leopards. He recorded 131 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 10 pass breakups this season while helping Lovejoy to a 12-2 record. He also had 10 rushing touchdowns and 2 passing touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation.
He caught the Razorbacks in action against Texas and Texas A&M this season. Pierce has offers from Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Missouri and Tulsa.
While he and the Leopards had a successful season, he is not satisfied.
“The most important stat needs to say 16-0 state champs,” he said. “We’re going to do that next year.”