Five-Star Plus+ CB DJ Pickett signs with LSU Tigers

After a whirlwind recruiting process, LSU’s top 2025 commitment has signed with the Tigers.

Five-Star Plus+ cornerback DJ Pickett out of Zephyrhills (Fla.) inked with Brian Kelly and Co. on Wednesday, the first day of the Early Signing Period.

Pickett had been committed to the Tiger since July 17, when he chose them over Oregon, Miami and Florida, among others. Along with former commit Bryce Underwood, Pickett was one of two consensus five-stars pledged to the Tigers this fall.

But amidst the team’s struggles on the field, Michigan flipped Underwood — the country’s No. 1 overall recruit — and other schools took aim at Pickett.

He remained steadfast in his commitment though and now becomes LSU’s highest-rated signee since linebacker Harold Perkins in 2022.

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Pickett is the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 2 cornerback and No. 1 prospect in Florida.

Pickett has an NIL Valuation of $634,000. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Scout’s Take on DJ Pickett

On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:

“Pickett is a dynamic, explosive two-way playmaker who looks like one of the top defensive back prospects in the 2025 cycle, with the highest upside coming as a cornerback. A big-time two-way player as a receiver and defensive back. Tall and long with a thinner build, measuring at 6-foot-4, 179 pounds at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. Has elite length for the position with 33 ⅝-inch arms. An extremely twitchy athlete who also excels in track and field. Turned in sensational marks in the 100 meters (10.62 seconds) and 200 meters (21.69 seconds) as a sophomore. A natural playmaker on Friday nights. Pairs his plus athleticism and easy movement skills with high level instincts and ball skills. Worked as a safety as an underclassman before playing corner as a senior. High-level ball production with at least four interceptions as a senior.”