DJ Pickett: Recruiting insiders weigh in on favorites to land Five-Star Plus+ CB
Six schools have emerged for Zephyrhills (Fla.) Five-Star Plus+ cornerback DJ Pickett. Eyeing an October commitment, the 6-foot-4, 179-pounder is now amidst a crucial phase of his recruitment.
Official visits to LSU, Georgia and Miami have already been logged, with a trip to Oregon underway this weekend. Florida is expected to get Pickett back for an official visit when it hosts the Hurricanes to open the season on Aug. 31, while Florida State is also looking to land an OV this fall.
Pickett has not been shy when talking about which teams are higher on his list than others. Last month at the On3 Elite Series, he told On3’s Steve Wiltfong that LSU, Miami and Oregon were up at the top of his list, though he also isn’t ruling out UGA, Florida or FSU.
Pickett’s recruitment is one to watch moving forward. On3 has the latest from seven recruiting insiders on where they believe things currently stand in the race for the No. 6 overall prospect and top-ranked corner in the 2025 cycle.
On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons: “Still a ways to go in this recruitment. I think this season is going to be very important for DJ Pickett. There’s been plenty of momentum around LSU at different times and they’re a legitimate contender thanks to Corey Raymond. Pickett is at Oregon this weekend and has been there multiple times. While the Ducks aren’t close to home, he likes the staff in Eugene and what Oregon offers. This recruitment goes back to Miami, though. He’s got Miami in his bloodlines, his cousin just signed there and his uncle played there. He’s been to campus plenty, is close to home there and feels very comfortable with the staff. I think it’s up to Miami to close this, and it comes down to showing improvement and consistency on the field this season. I tab the Hurricanes today, but LSU and Oregon are right there as well.”
On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong: “I think LSU is the program that probably has the most momentum as of today, but Pickett isn’t deciding until October as he wants to watch his top schools play this fall and see what kind of seasons they’re going to have. If Miami or Florida have strong Septembers, they instantly become programs to watch. He will be at the season-opener between the two. Oregon is the dark horse and he’s back in Eugene this weekend.”
Florida recruiting insider Corey Bender: “It’s a fluid recruitment featuring the likes of Georgia, LSU, Oregon and Miami. The Tigers and Hurricanes, however, have been buzzing the most as of late. There are strong family ties to Miami. Pickett also plans to take an official visit to Florida on Aug. 31 for the season opener against Miami. He is major priority for secondary coach Will Harris and company, but Florida has some catching up to do.”
Georgia recruiting insider Jeremy Johnson: “For Pickett it feels that Georgia is the program lurking. Donte Williams and Travaris Robinson have done a strong job getting the Bulldogs back in the hunt. It feels like LSU is the team to beat. Corey Raymond has had success with players like Pickett. Georgia’s 2024 class could be working against them a bit as well. The Bulldogs signed two five-stars and one of them is already pushing for early playing time.”
LSU recruiting insider Billy Embody: “LSU’s been pushing for DJ Pickett since Corey Raymond returned to Baton Rouge to run the secondary again. He’s made him not only a priority, but has carefully curated his approach to recruiting the Five-Star Plus+ prospect with how he’d fit in for the Tigers and trying to make him understand the “DBU” legacy that he has a chance to restart again. Pickett’s a day-one starter with LSU’s secondary woes so Raymond will continue to push for him. As far as where things stand, LSU is considered the favorite with Miami to land him and if he picked today, I think the Tigers could snag him out of Florida. The Hurricanes will throw everything at him as will other schools, but from what I’ve gathered, LSU is sitting in the strongest spot, at the moment.”
Miami recruiting insider Gary Ferman: “There is probably not a recruit in the country more important to Miami than DJ Pickett. It’s not just that he is a five-star and an obvious great talent. But his cousin Booker is already a Hurricane and his uncle also played for the Canes. So the relationships run deep here and Miami has been all-in from day one. Pickett’s recent official visit to Miami checked all the boxes, so now it’s just a waiting game until his targeted October 5 commitment.”
Oregon recruiting insider Max Torres: “Steady is probably the key word I would use to describe how Oregon has approached DJ Pickett’s recruitment. The Ducks got him on campus earlier this year for one of their two Junior Day events and when recruiting a player of his caliber all the way across the country, every visit should be viewed as significant. Oregon’s sent players with his frame to the NFL in recent years (Christian Gonzalez, Khyree Jackson) and I assume that carries some level of appeal. Dan Lanning is ramping up Oregon’s presence in the Sunshine State but if I had to pick a school today I’d probably go with LSU.”
The post DJ Pickett: Recruiting insiders weigh in on favorites to land Five-Star Plus+ CB appeared first on On3.
