Pierce grew up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and attended Glenbard West High School, where he played football, volleyball, basketball and ran track.

[2] As a senior, Alec caught 25 passes for 372 yards and five touchdowns with three sacks and four interceptions on defense and was named the Most Valuable Player of the West Suburban Conference Silver Division.

[3] Pierce was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Cincinnati over scholarship offers from 17 other programs.

[8] He missed four games of his junior season due to a knee injury and finished the year with 17 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns.

[18] Pierce posted his best NFL game on NBC Sunday Night Football, notching team-highs in catches (four) and receiving yards (86) while adding his second-career touchdown.