Florida fans join recruiting efforts for LSU Five-Star Plus+ CB commit DJ Pickett

Gainesville is a recruiting hotbed this weekend, as Florida hosts Miami in a big-time in-state clash to kick off the 2024 season.

Recruits from across the nation are at The Swamp on Saturday afternoon, the biggest of which may be Zephyrhills (Fla.) Five-Star Plus+ cornerback DJ Pickett.

The LSU commit has been on campus multiple times throughout his recruitment and is back for what could be the final time. He’s being greeted with plenty of love from Fraternity Drive, as a statue has been spray-painted with ‘DJ Pickett to The Swamp’ on the bottom.

Florida fans are looking to catch the attention of LSU Five-Star Plus+ CB commit DJ Pickett on his visit to Gainesville this weekend👀🐊

(📸: oldrowflorida/IG)https://t.co/YmoHM0Pd3t pic.twitter.com/6JNSmy0b4f

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) August 31, 2024

Pickett committed to LSU on July 17. His father told On3’s Steve Wiltfong that his son is “1,000 percent committed in his decision” ahead of the trip this weekend.

“We’ve been talking to Coach Napier,” the elder Pickett said. “We talk to (Will) Harris a little bit but more Coach Napier. Think he’s taken it upon himself to spearhead that recruitment. We’ve been speaking to him more than anyone else at the University of Florida.”

“We’re going to do everything Florida has to offer. Going to do all the recruiting stuff. We are going on the Florida side. We are going to be guests of the Gators.”

Earlier this year as Pickett’s recruiting process was ramping up, there was always a caveat when talking about the Gators’ chances of landing the No. 7 overall prospect’s commitment: showing improvement on the field in 2024.

The same can be said about Miami — a program that was mentioned as a contender for Pickett far more often that Florida. Starting the season win a win over a rival bodes well for any program, but for both the Gators and Hurricanes, some serious recruiting momentum could follow with a win on Saturday.

“I’m just really looking to see how Miami does this year,” Pickett said earlier this year. “I would be definitely hard for me to leave the state (if they have a big year) because I’ve already got the family ties there. So if they do good, it would be hard for me to leave.”

Pickett is currently one of three five-star commits in LSU’ 2025 recruiting class — which ranks No. 3 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. He also ranks as the No. 2 corner and top-ranked player in Florida in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.