Oregon jockeying for top position with Five-Star Plus+ CB DJ Pickett
Six schools are currently at the top for Zephyrhills (Fla.) Five-Star Plus+ cornerback DJ Pickett. Oregon is among that group, and the Ducks got the 6-foot-4, 180-pounder back to Eugene over the weekend.
Pickett was one of the many touted prospects in attendance for Oregon’s spring game — which did not disappoint. He’s now been on campus twice this year and is set to return for an official visit on June 21.
Eyes currently look toward Miami and LSU for the touted defensive back, but the Ducks are in the thick of things and certainly boosted their stock across the past couple of days, according to On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong.
“I think Oregon came into the visit third, but very much in play with a chance to win this thing when all said and done,” Wiltfong said on the Wiltfong Whiparound. “‘Oregon is different,’ his father told me. A lot of resources, fan support is crazy, they had over 40,000 fans at the spring game. They’re very much looking forward to the official visit in June, which will be DJ’s fourth time on Oregon’s campus. They’re right there with Miami and LSU.”
Pickett has raved about his time in Eugene in the past and the new Big Ten program made another splash over the weekend. From head coach Dan Lanning, to defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, to defensive backs coach Chris Hampton, the Ducks are keeping the pressure on in Pickett’s recruitment.
“It’s just the people around the building,” Pickett has previously said of Oregon. “I feel comfortable with the whole coaching staff. It’s a great fit for me. I’m really close with everyone body on the coaching staff really.”
“When he’s there, he’s very comfortable, he went to a game last year. Made a couple visits already this year, this was a great visit, and the thing they pointed out was Coach Lanning seems to be a genuine person who’s about his players,” Wiltfong said. “The staff is engaged with not just the prospect but the families. Oregon is a top contender for DJ Pickett going into the summer.”
Miami, LSU still remain top contenders for Pickett
Florida, Georgia and Florida State round out Pickett’s top six schools, but Miami and LSU are the two programs that seem to have found separation as coaching staffs continue to jockey for position. Pickett told On3 earlier this month that the two are “neck and neck” entering the latter half of the spring.
Miami has a host of family ties to Pickett, while LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond has played a humongous role in getting LSU in the thick of things for the five-star. Pickett was back in Baton Rouge this month and returned to Coral Gables in March.
“I still think if Miami has a great season this fall they’re a team to watch. DJ is taking his recruitment into the season so he can watch these teams play football,” Wiltfong said. “LSU…a long-standing relationship with Corey Raymond that dates back to when Corey was at Florida, but now he’s back at LSU, which is his sweet spot where he’s developed so many great players. That excites DJ, he always feels at home at LSU.”
Pickett is the No. 6 overall prospect and No. 2 corner in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the top-ranked player in Florida.