Pierre Desir
Pierre Desir is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He played college football at Lindenwood and Washburn, and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has also played for the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.
Early years
Desir was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He immigrated along with his family to the United States at the age of 4.Desir attended Francis Howell Central High School in Saint Charles, Missouri, where he was an all-state selection at defensive back. He was first-team all-league during his junior and senior seasons, and was named special teams player of the year as a senior. He averaged 37.8 yards per kickoff return and 8.9 yards per punt return. He also was a record breaking track runner while at the school as well.
Desir spent his summers as a youth in Lynn and Salem, Massachusetts, and Montreal.
College career
Desir attended Washburn University, and played for the Washburn Ichabods from 2008-2010. He sat out his freshman year as a redshirt. In 2009, he was named first team all-MIAA after leading the conference with seven interceptions and 13 passes defended, and finished the season with 33 total tackles. He also averaged 29.4 yards per kickoff return on 10 attempts. In 2010, he recorded 46 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, nine pass deflections, one forced fumble, and five interceptions, earning himself second team all-MIAA honors.In 2011, he left Washburn citing a desire to be closer to his young children, and enrolled at Lindenwood University. After not playing his first year, he returned in 2012 and was one of the top defensive players in the MIAA. To go along with 60 tackles, he finished second among all levels of NCAA football with nine interceptions and tied for the NCAA Division II lead with 18 passes defended. He was also named first-team All-MIAA and was a first-team AFCA Div. II All-American. In his final season, he once again was named a first-team All-MIAA selection and an AFCA Div. II All-American. He recorded 33 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and four interceptions. He also won the inaugural Cliff Harris Award, honoring the nation's top small college defensive player.
Desir finished his career ranked first in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics history in passes defended. His 25 career interceptions are the second most in conference history and rank him in the top 10 in Division II history.
Professional career
Desir was featured along with Jadeveon Clowney, Bishop Sankey, Blake Bortles, and Marqise Lee on , which aired before the 2014 NFL Draft.Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns selected Desir in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He became the first player from Lindenwood to ever be selected in the NFL Draft and was the 15th cornerback drafted in 2014.2014 season
On May 29, 2014, the Cleveland Browns signed Desir to a four-year, $2.62 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $407,612.Throughout training camp, Desir competed to be a backup cornerback against Isaiah Trufant and Leon McFadden. Head coach Mike Pettine named Desir the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Joe Haden, Buster Skrine, and Justin Gilbert. Desir was inactive as a healthy scratch for the first 12 games of the regular season. On November 30, 2014, Desir made his professional regular season debut during a 26–10 loss at the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. On December 21, 2014, Desir earned his first career start and collected a season-high seven solo tackles and broke up two pass attempts during a 17–13 loss at the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. He finished his rookie season in 2014 with nine solo tackles and two pass deflections in five games and one start.
2015 season
During training camp, Desir competed for a roster spot as the third cornerback against Justin Gilbert, Charles Gaines, Robert Nelson, and K'Waun Williams. Head coach Mike Pettine named Desir the fourth cornerback on the Cleveland Browns’ depth chart to begin the regular season. He was listed on the depth chart behind Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, and K'Waun Williams. In Week 6, Desir collected a season-high 12 combined tackles and deflected one pass during a 26–23 loss against the Denver Broncos. He was inactive during the Browns’ Week 12 loss against the Baltimore Ravens and a Week 14 victory against the San Francisco 49ers. Desir finished the 2015 NFL season with 37 combined tackles and five pass deflections in 14 games and six starts.2016 season
On January 4, 2016, the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer after they finished with a 3–13 record. Throughout training camp, Desir competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Justin Gilbert, Charles Gaines, Trey Williams, and Jamar Taylor. On September 3, 2016, the Cleveland Browns officially waived Desir as part of their final roster cuts.San Diego Chargers
On September 4, 2016, the San Diego Chargers claimed Desir off of waivers. Head coach Mike McCoy named Desir the fifth cornerback on the Chargers’ depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers, Casey Hayward, and Craig Mager. On October 22, 2016, the Chargers released Desir, but re-signed him two days later, only to be released again on October 29, 2016.Seattle Seahawks
On November 2, 2016, the Seattle Seahawks signed Desir to their practice squad.On January 16, 2017, the Seahawks signed Desir to a one-year, $790,000 reserve/future contract. Throughout training camp, Desir competed to be a backup cornerback against Mike Tyson, Tramaine Brock, Neiko Thorpe, Demetrius McCray, and DeAndre Elliott. On September 2, 2017, the Seattle Seahawks waived Desir as part of their final roster cuts.
Indianapolis Colts
2017 season
On September 3, 2017, the Indianapolis Colts claimed Desir off of waivers. Head coach Chuck Pagano named Desir the sixth cornerback on the Colts’ depth chart, behind Vontae Davis, Rashaan Melvin, Nate Hairston, Quincy Wilson, and Kenny Moore.Desir earned a starting role in Week 8 after he surpassed Nate Hairston, Quincy Wilson, and Kenny Moore on the depth chart. He replaced Vontae Davis who was released on November 9, 2017, On November 12, 2017, Desir collected a season-high eight combined tackles, deflected two passes, and made his first career interception during a 20–17 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. Desir intercepted a pass by Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, that was originally intended for wide receiver Martavis Bryant, during the first quarter. On December 3, 2017, Desir suffered a shoulder injury as the Colts lost 30–10 at the Jacksonville Jaguars. On December 4, 2017, the Colts placed Desir on injured reserve. He finished the season with 32 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception in nine games and six starts.
2018 season
On March 20, 2018, the Colts signed Desir to a one-year, $1.75 million contract that included $750,000 guaranteed. Throughout training camp, Desir competed to be a starting cornerback against Nate Hairston, Quincy Wilson, and Kenny Moore. Head coach Frank Reich named Desir the third cornerback on the Colts’ depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Kenny Moore and Nate Hairston. On September 30, 2018, Desir made five solo tackles, broke up a pass attempt, and intercepted a pass during a 37–34 loss against the Houston Texans. In Week 6, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles during a 42–34 loss at the New York Jets. He finished the 2018 NFL season with 79 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, and one interception in 16 games and 12 starts. Desir received an overall grade of 77.5 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked as the 18th best overall grade among all qualifying cornerbacks in 2018.2019 season
On March 13, 2019, Desir signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension with the Colts with $12 million guaranteed.In week 7 against the Houston Texans, Desir recorded his first interception of the season off Deshaun Watson in the 30-23 win.
In week 16 against the Carolina Panthers, Desir recorded 2 interceptions off passes thrown by rookie quarterback Will Grier during the 38–6 win.
On March 21, 2020, Desir was released by the Indianapolis Colts.