DENVER, CO. - "Well, good thing I've been couch hopping and haven't signed any leases," Pierno laughed as he took the podium.
In a span of just a few weeks, the Raleigh-native has gone from North Carolina State University to the Yellowknife Wraiths as a fourth round pick, to being picked No. 2 by the Kansas City Coyotes in the inaugural DSFL Draft and then having his rights traded by Yellowknife to the Colorado Yetis, who are on the search for a new franchise cornerstone after the infamous Logan Noble scandal.
"I'm so excited. This came completely out of nowhere, I didn't even get to chat much with Colorado pre-draft," Pierno said. "I'm so happy I've ended up here, though. Colorado is such a beautiful state and I'm so glad to be back in the United States.
He continued: “Including NC State, being on four teams in the span of a couple months is pretty insane. I consider myself to be a pretty loyal player, so I really hope I can put my roots down in the Rocky Mountains. I’m actually planning on signing a lease on a crib here, I’ve had enough of sleeping on couches the past couple of weeks.”
Pierno has is on a 2-year contract worth $2,500,000 per year that includes an optional third year worth $4,000,000.
The rumor is Pierno could earn the starting gig in Colorado extremely soon. Vincent Draxel, the third-year player out of South Carolina, is also on the roster and brings an entirely different skillset—though admittedly not as high of a ceiling.
"I've gotten to meet Vincent and he's a great guy. We both bring great things to the field, him especially with his poise and football IQ and myself with my athleticism and ability to extend plays," Pierno said. "I read the articles and scouting reports that say I'm raw, but I know that means my ceiling is amongst the highest in the league. I'm extremely grateful to have a guy like Vincent here to push me.
He continued: “I know there’s going to be tough times as a rookie, but there’s going to be some really special ones, too. Just know that I’m going to be one of the hardest working players not only on this team, but this league. I wish all the best to Yellowknife and appreciate the assistance they gave me during offseason training, but this is going to be a move that organization is going to regret. I'm so grateful the Yetis showed some faith in me, I can't wait to accomplish some amazing things with them."
The Kansas City Coyotes, who as previously stated, picked Pierno No. 2 overall in the DSFL Draft, are in a tough spot now. Pierno noted he views the organization with love, and there's one player that he still texts regularly.
"I appreciate the faith that Kansas City had in me and I loved the time I had in my four preseason games there," Pierno said. "Jaquan Young and I had our lockers right next to each other and we immediately became close. It was a bummer to say 'bye,' but that's when I remembered what team owned his rights: Colorado. I really hope one day we can reunite."
Young was the 28th overall pick in the NSFL Draft and went 11th in the DSFL Draft. Pierno, who was taken 45th in the NSFL Draft and 2nd in the DSFL Draft, said both players feel like they've been slept on.
"Oh, he'll tell you the same thing. We know we have a lot to work on, but the untapped potential is insane," Pierno. "We play with a chip on our shoulders, and that drives us to be the best we can."
Jaquan Young commented, “With our great combo we had in the preseason, I hoped we would’ve been able to dominate the DSFL this season with our premier offense. Since (Pierno) has been called up to play for Colorado, I have high hopes that once I get called back up that we can dominate the big leagues. I have high hopes for Pierno that he’ll lead them to great heights. I appreciate our four games together and the bond we created together.”
704 words.
GRADED
In a span of just a few weeks, the Raleigh-native has gone from North Carolina State University to the Yellowknife Wraiths as a fourth round pick, to being picked No. 2 by the Kansas City Coyotes in the inaugural DSFL Draft and then having his rights traded by Yellowknife to the Colorado Yetis, who are on the search for a new franchise cornerstone after the infamous Logan Noble scandal.
"I'm so excited. This came completely out of nowhere, I didn't even get to chat much with Colorado pre-draft," Pierno said. "I'm so happy I've ended up here, though. Colorado is such a beautiful state and I'm so glad to be back in the United States.
He continued: “Including NC State, being on four teams in the span of a couple months is pretty insane. I consider myself to be a pretty loyal player, so I really hope I can put my roots down in the Rocky Mountains. I’m actually planning on signing a lease on a crib here, I’ve had enough of sleeping on couches the past couple of weeks.”
Pierno has is on a 2-year contract worth $2,500,000 per year that includes an optional third year worth $4,000,000.
The rumor is Pierno could earn the starting gig in Colorado extremely soon. Vincent Draxel, the third-year player out of South Carolina, is also on the roster and brings an entirely different skillset—though admittedly not as high of a ceiling.
"I've gotten to meet Vincent and he's a great guy. We both bring great things to the field, him especially with his poise and football IQ and myself with my athleticism and ability to extend plays," Pierno said. "I read the articles and scouting reports that say I'm raw, but I know that means my ceiling is amongst the highest in the league. I'm extremely grateful to have a guy like Vincent here to push me.
He continued: “I know there’s going to be tough times as a rookie, but there’s going to be some really special ones, too. Just know that I’m going to be one of the hardest working players not only on this team, but this league. I wish all the best to Yellowknife and appreciate the assistance they gave me during offseason training, but this is going to be a move that organization is going to regret. I'm so grateful the Yetis showed some faith in me, I can't wait to accomplish some amazing things with them."
The Kansas City Coyotes, who as previously stated, picked Pierno No. 2 overall in the DSFL Draft, are in a tough spot now. Pierno noted he views the organization with love, and there's one player that he still texts regularly.
"I appreciate the faith that Kansas City had in me and I loved the time I had in my four preseason games there," Pierno said. "Jaquan Young and I had our lockers right next to each other and we immediately became close. It was a bummer to say 'bye,' but that's when I remembered what team owned his rights: Colorado. I really hope one day we can reunite."
Young was the 28th overall pick in the NSFL Draft and went 11th in the DSFL Draft. Pierno, who was taken 45th in the NSFL Draft and 2nd in the DSFL Draft, said both players feel like they've been slept on.
"Oh, he'll tell you the same thing. We know we have a lot to work on, but the untapped potential is insane," Pierno. "We play with a chip on our shoulders, and that drives us to be the best we can."
Jaquan Young commented, “With our great combo we had in the preseason, I hoped we would’ve been able to dominate the DSFL this season with our premier offense. Since (Pierno) has been called up to play for Colorado, I have high hopes that once I get called back up that we can dominate the big leagues. I have high hopes for Pierno that he’ll lead them to great heights. I appreciate our four games together and the bond we created together.”
704 words.
GRADED
[div align=center][SELECT style="background-color:white; color:Black; font-family:Arial; font-size: 12px; width: 400px; "][br][OPTION]Nicholas Pierno || QB || Colorado Yeti || S3 45th Pick || 448 TPE
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 180
[OPTION]Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
[OPTION]Number: 6
[OPTION]College: N.C. State
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Passing Stats
[OPTION]S3: 2,209 YDS, 8 TD, 35 INT, 35.3 RTG
[OPTION]S4: 2,466 YDS, 7 TD, 25 INT, 50.8 RTG
[OPTION]S5: 1,957 YDS, 4 TD, 19 INT, 55.0 RTG
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Rushing Stats
[OPTION]S3: 78 YDS, 0 TD
[OPTION]S4: 113 YDS, 0 TD
[OPTION]S5: 348 YDS, 1 TD
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:
[OPTION]COL record for passing yards in a game: 346
[OPTION]COL record for longest run: 27
[OPTION]COL record for completion % in a season: 58
[OPTION]COL record for longest pass: 48
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Transactions
[OPTION]S3 NSFL 45th pick by YNW
[OPTION]S3 Signed for 3+1 year deal for $11,500,000
[OPTION]S3 DSFL 2nd pick by KC
[OPTION]S3 Traded to COL
[OPTION]S5 Signed 3-year, $17,000,000 extension
[OPTION]===========================================
[SELECT]
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 180
[OPTION]Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
[OPTION]Number: 6
[OPTION]College: N.C. State
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Passing Stats
[OPTION]S3: 2,209 YDS, 8 TD, 35 INT, 35.3 RTG
[OPTION]S4: 2,466 YDS, 7 TD, 25 INT, 50.8 RTG
[OPTION]S5: 1,957 YDS, 4 TD, 19 INT, 55.0 RTG
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Rushing Stats
[OPTION]S3: 78 YDS, 0 TD
[OPTION]S4: 113 YDS, 0 TD
[OPTION]S5: 348 YDS, 1 TD
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:
[OPTION]COL record for passing yards in a game: 346
[OPTION]COL record for longest run: 27
[OPTION]COL record for completion % in a season: 58
[OPTION]COL record for longest pass: 48
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Transactions
[OPTION]S3 NSFL 45th pick by YNW
[OPTION]S3 Signed for 3+1 year deal for $11,500,000
[OPTION]S3 DSFL 2nd pick by KC
[OPTION]S3 Traded to COL
[OPTION]S5 Signed 3-year, $17,000,000 extension
[OPTION]===========================================
[SELECT]