Five-Star Plus+ CB DJ Pickett takes LSU official visit

Zephyrhills (Fla.) Five-Star Plus+ cornerback DJ Pickett kicked off his official visit schedule this weekend with a trip to LSU.

The Tigers are in the upper echelon of Pickett’s recruitment entering this summer, and the Tigers pulled out the red carpet for the 6-foot-4, 179-pounder. From defensive backs coach Corey Raymond to former standout corner Patrick Peterson, Pickett was around some of the best in Baton Rouge.

#LSU 🐯 @CoachBrianKelly @CoachCRaymond pic.twitter.com/cWmMsUJEhH

— DJ (@DJPICKETT5) June 2, 2024

LSU became an instant contender for Pickett upon hiring Raymond after he was let go from Florida in the fall. The pair have a tight relationship and is one of, if not the main reason that Brian Kelly’s program has a real shot of landing his commitment.

“Coach Raymond went to LSU — I always liked LSU, but it’s just other things to it. When Coach Raymond got there I was real excited,” Pickett said earlier this week at the On3 Elite Series. “I grew up watching LSU and how their DBs played and he played a big factor in that. He just keeps it real with me.”

“I really like Baton Rouge and what they can do for me on an off the field. Their fans care about their players, and it’s somewhere you can build you brand. A lot of people care for LSU, and it’s DBU, too,” he added.

The Tigers are battling Miami and Oregon at the top for Pickett, while Georgia, Florida and Florida State continue to hang around as well. Official visits to UGA (June 7), Miami (June 14) and Oregon (June 21) are on deck, while the Gators and Seminoles are likely to receive OVs during the upcoming season.

As Pickett enters a crucial phase of his recruitment, On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong likes where LSU stands for the No. 6 overall prospect and No. 2 corner in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

“(LSU) might be setting the pace for this one right now, and it’s because of Corey Raymond and what he’s been able to develop at the position. The family’s got a relationship with Patrick Peterson, who obviously speaks highly of Corey Raymond and what Raymond did for him as a young player,” Wiltfong said on the ‘Wilftong Whiparound’ earlier this week. “(Pickett) has been to LSU several times, he feels very at home in Baton Rouge, in addition to that player development component. The vibe around Baton Rouge and that program and campus fits him.

…I think right now going into his official visits, LSU is the program that I would give the edge for DJ Pickett.”