"I committed to Kansas State during my official visit last weekend," said Ernie Pierce from Santa Barbara, (Calif.). "I committed to Kansas State because academically it caters towards junior college transfers. The two or three days there was absolutely wonderful. Freshman quarterback Josh Freeman was my player host, and he was real cool. We talked a lot about our backgrounds, and we have a lot in common. He (Freeman) also talked a lot about the football program."
"There were about 10 guys there that were already committed about five other guys that weren't. Three of us decided to jump on board."
"We toured all the facilities and the campus. Everything was really fun."
When asked his favorite part of the visit Pierce replied, "The eating part was really good. We ate like every half hour. The coaches were really great as well."
"I liked the attention they showed toward me. I really enjoyed talking with coach Prince, coach Franklin and coach Washington. They are almost a carbon copy of the coaches I have here at Santa Barabara City. Their coaching style is very similar as well."
Pierce plans to graduate in May and had received scholarship offers from three other schools as well.
"I had received offers from Troy, San Jose State and Oregon State. I am finished with my visits. I am a solid commitment to Kansas State," he said.
Pierce recorded over 1,300 all-purpose yards this season. The talented playmaker scored touchdowns three different ways with two punt returns for touchdowns, a 70-yard touchdown run and four touchdown receptions.
“I had a real good year." Pierce said. "I was third in all-purpose yards for most of the year in California. I was also second in all-purpose yards in the Western State Conference. We didn’t do as well as a team as we thought we would have done (3-7). We had a new offensive coordinator and actually did better on offense this year than we did last year, but the defense had some problems. Last year it was the other way around, so I guess we are having a problem trying to find the medium. I am not too happy about our season."
Playing two years in junior college should give the big wide-out an advantage when he gets to K-State.
“I think I can come in and be a big impact," he said. "I don't need the redshirt year I may have needed if I were a freshman. I have already played against some pretty good defenders that were real physical. I don’t think it will be too much of a transition."