4-star EDGE Booker Pickett names top five schools

Tampa (Fla.) Wharton four-star EDGE Booker Pickett has been working to narrow down his list of top schools. After looking over all of his options, Pickett has locked in his final five.

Pickett announced on Friday that he will choose between Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and South Carolina.

“I see myself committing to one of these schools in the end,” Pickett told On3. “I do not plan to make another cut, but when I am ready, I will commit to one of these five. These schools made my final list because of the relationships I have built with the coaches and some players at each school,

…I like how I am projected to fit into their defense and I also like the style of coaching I would get at any of the five schools.”

The next step for Pickett is getting out to some of the schools in his five for official visits. He says he isn’t sure if he’ll visit all five but if he visits some and feels ready make a decision, he’ll announce it. Pickett doesn’t expect to wait until the Early Signing Period to make his decision.

Pickett did not that as he’s only visited Georgia and South Carolina once each, his connections with those schools aren’t as strong as his connections with the other three. For now though, Pickett hasn’t settled on any decisions yet and is ready to see how things play out.

“I just trust God and I feel He will show me which school is the best,” said Pickett, the No. 211 player in the 2024 class. T”hat is why I have taken my time with this decision. I want Him to show me what is best for me.

…Other than that feeling and letting God guide me, I am taking the relationships, where I fit into the defense and where they see me playing are other factors.”

Pickett breaks down his top schools

Florida State: “My dad played at Miami, but I grew up a fan of Florida State. I grew up wanting to play there and I like the team and scheme that they run. I like Jared Verse a lot and I see myself a lot like him as a player. Florida State is doing well, but they have always stood out to me.”

Georgia: “Georgia is a top program that wins games. They play great defense, it is a top school and I know if I went there, they would push me to be my best.”

Miami: “My dad played at Miami, so that is cool, but Coach Jason Taylor is a big part of my interest in the school. We are similar players, he looked a lot like me at one time and I really feel he could help develop me. Coach Taylor had great success in the NFL, so him being on that staff is big.”

Ohio State: “What stands out most to me about Ohio State is the culture. They have a winning culture and I love how the players compete and want to win.”

South Carolina: “I love South Carolina. I have been there once and I love the coaches, the culture and they are going up right now. They just landed Dylan Stewart, so they are getting top players and it is a place I enjoyed my time at.”