DJ Pickett is headed to the SEC — Baton Rouge to be exact.
A five-star secondary recruit and the top-ranked athlete in the Rivals250. LSU Wednesday evening.
Tigers win state championship Miami And Oregon has been a big favorite at various points in Pickett’s recruitment, so this will come as a surprise commitment to many.
“coach (Corey) Raymond “We can build it back up again,” Pickett recently told Rivals.
LSU’s top-10 class landed its third five-star commitment, with Pickett joining quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back Harlem Berry. Brian Kellyof Class of 2025.
Like Pickett, they are considered some of the top prospects in their states.
Pickett has long said the opportunity to play both ways, plus the ability to make an impact early on, is a big factor in the program’s success, and when you add in a player’s desire rather than the need to contribute to the roster, he said, expectations will be sky-high from the moment the five-star recruit steps on campus.
Nick Carroll, the head coach at Zephyrhills High School in Florida, played with and was around Damien Pickett in high school and college and has long known about the rare athleticism his former teammate’s son displays at the Power Four level.
“When I first saw him, I thought he was a lot taller than I thought he was,” Carroll said. “To see him grow into what he is now, 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, it’s special. He’s so long once he gets a hold of someone. To have that build and still be 5-foot-10 with the hips and legs is pretty unique. It doesn’t happen very often.”
“He can break down, drive down and run the 100 in 10.6 seconds. He has a lot of qualities that make him an elite athlete. I’ve been coaching for 21 years and I’ve never heard anyone with his skill set.”
Pickett isn’t very active on social media and rarely gives interviews, but that doesn’t diminish the potential he could bring to the next level.
Despite being the most coveted recruit in ZHS history, Carroll said he is still a leader on his high school team.
“He’s a guy who is introverted and not close to his heart,” he said. “He competes at a high level. The kids around him want to beat him and are always trying to get better to beat him. That creates a high level of competitiveness and culture. But he’s still joking and laughing and he’s still a kid.”
“He’s not a fiery locker room guy, but his play will speak volumes about the words he doesn’t say.”
Raymond has always made Pickett a priority. Florida That was before the longtime secondary coach began working under Kelly in January.
The Tigers buzz has hardly quieted since then.
