Indiana University Athletics
What’s in a Number – Pierre Hitting His Stride
6/20/2023 11:24:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Noah Pierre strides into view and the uniform number change stands out. It's now 0. It was 21.
What's the story?
"It means no problems, zero problems," the Indiana redshirt senior husky says. "That's my brand. I want to push that."
Coaches often talk about three kind of players -- high maintenance, low maintenance, and no maintenance. Pierre strives for that last category even as he focuses on team glory.
He was there for IU's bowl runs of 2019 and '20. He wants to close out his Hoosier career with one more postseason opportunity.
"I want to get back to where we were," he says. "That 2020 season was a big season, a historical season."
In that season, the Hoosiers went 6-1, and soared into the Top 10 with victories over Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
"I want to get back to winning the games we're supposed to win, upsetting some teams that people don't think we can beat," Pierre says. "Get back to that."
With so many of IU's players new to the program, Pierre makes sure they know the history.
"They haven't seen the success we had in the past. I'm pushing that hope on them and making them believe. Try to get them to understand what it could be."
Pierre has paid his dues since arriving in Bloomington in 2018. His playing time has increased each season. Last year, while starting seven of 12 games, he totaled 39 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Beyond the numbers, he provides valuable experience and leadership.
"I was not so much outspoken when I first got here," he says. "I was trying to find my way. As I got older and more comfortable, I started to speak up more. Being an older guy, I try to bring that leadership aspect."
Young defensive backs such as Jamari Sharpe, James Monds III, and Phillip Dunnam have impressed.
"Jamari is a dog," Pierre says. "James has taken the next step. Phillip has played a lot, and has taken the next step. He's pushing (veteran) Josh Sanguinetti for that first spot.
"They've all done very well. It's been crazy the success they've had."
Pierre had his own spring success. His full-throttle style made a big impression on safety Louis Moore.
"You want everybody to play hard all the time," Moore says. "Noah is like that. You know what he'll give you. He plays hard. He encourages everybody. He's the first one to meetings. He's someone you look up to."
Pierre spent the spring battling with the best of IU's receivers, including Donaven McCulley, Andison Coby, Kamryn Perry, and E.J. Williams.
"All of them are good," Pierre says. "KP is a quick, shifty guy. Donaven is a completely different receiver -- bigger, stronger, more physical. Andison is very quick and fast. You get different things from different guys. It's been fun."
Then there's do-it-all Jaylin Lucas, who as a running back, receiver, and returner is a big play waiting to happen.
"He's an athlete," Pierre says. "Put him anywhere and he's going to make plays."
As for the quarterback battle between Tayven Jackson, Brendan Sorsby, and Broc Lowry, Pierre says, "All of them can play. All of them are good. It's hard to see who has the edge because they're all playing so well."
Pierre is excited about new co-defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri.
"He's super smart. He's coached a lot of good players. For me, that's big. I'm looking forward to the next step and what he can make me into."
As far as Guerrieri's impact on the defense, Pierre says Guerrieri, "put in some wrinkles. Nothing crazy. He's a smart guy. He's taught us a lot. He's a high-energy guy. I feel I'm a high-energy guy, too. We mesh well."
What's the story?
"It means no problems, zero problems," the Indiana redshirt senior husky says. "That's my brand. I want to push that."
Coaches often talk about three kind of players -- high maintenance, low maintenance, and no maintenance. Pierre strives for that last category even as he focuses on team glory.
He was there for IU's bowl runs of 2019 and '20. He wants to close out his Hoosier career with one more postseason opportunity.
"I want to get back to where we were," he says. "That 2020 season was a big season, a historical season."
In that season, the Hoosiers went 6-1, and soared into the Top 10 with victories over Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
"I want to get back to winning the games we're supposed to win, upsetting some teams that people don't think we can beat," Pierre says. "Get back to that."
With so many of IU's players new to the program, Pierre makes sure they know the history.
"They haven't seen the success we had in the past. I'm pushing that hope on them and making them believe. Try to get them to understand what it could be."
Pierre has paid his dues since arriving in Bloomington in 2018. His playing time has increased each season. Last year, while starting seven of 12 games, he totaled 39 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Beyond the numbers, he provides valuable experience and leadership.
"I was not so much outspoken when I first got here," he says. "I was trying to find my way. As I got older and more comfortable, I started to speak up more. Being an older guy, I try to bring that leadership aspect."
Young defensive backs such as Jamari Sharpe, James Monds III, and Phillip Dunnam have impressed.
"Jamari is a dog," Pierre says. "James has taken the next step. Phillip has played a lot, and has taken the next step. He's pushing (veteran) Josh Sanguinetti for that first spot.
"They've all done very well. It's been crazy the success they've had."
Pierre had his own spring success. His full-throttle style made a big impression on safety Louis Moore.
"You want everybody to play hard all the time," Moore says. "Noah is like that. You know what he'll give you. He plays hard. He encourages everybody. He's the first one to meetings. He's someone you look up to."
Pierre spent the spring battling with the best of IU's receivers, including Donaven McCulley, Andison Coby, Kamryn Perry, and E.J. Williams.
"All of them are good," Pierre says. "KP is a quick, shifty guy. Donaven is a completely different receiver -- bigger, stronger, more physical. Andison is very quick and fast. You get different things from different guys. It's been fun."
Then there's do-it-all Jaylin Lucas, who as a running back, receiver, and returner is a big play waiting to happen.
"He's an athlete," Pierre says. "Put him anywhere and he's going to make plays."
As for the quarterback battle between Tayven Jackson, Brendan Sorsby, and Broc Lowry, Pierre says, "All of them can play. All of them are good. It's hard to see who has the edge because they're all playing so well."
Pierre is excited about new co-defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri.
"He's super smart. He's coached a lot of good players. For me, that's big. I'm looking forward to the next step and what he can make me into."
As far as Guerrieri's impact on the defense, Pierre says Guerrieri, "put in some wrinkles. Nothing crazy. He's a smart guy. He's taught us a lot. He's a high-energy guy. I feel I'm a high-energy guy, too. We mesh well."
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