Decision Day is here for 5-star+ CB DJ Pickett

The date DJ Pickett circled to reveal his college choice has arrived, and On3’s No. 1 cornerback is set to pick between a final three of LSU, Miami and Oregon.

LSU jumped into the picture in January, grabbing a visit late in the month after news broke of the decision to hire Corey Raymond as the program’s secondary coach. Raymond, who spent two seasons at Florida, had previously coached in LSU’s secondary for a decade.

For both Pickett and his father, Damien, the move sparked interest in the Tigers that has lasted through his reveal.

“Corey Raymond,” Damien told On3, adding that the Pickett family also has a connection with Patrick Peterson, who has been present through LSU’s recruitment of the 5-star cornerback and was in Baton Rouge for Pickett’s official visit. “The defensive backs, the history of their defensive backs. The location. Baton Rouge is in a great location, the school is. 

“Just the Corey Raymond factor. And it’s Defensive Back U. DBU. That’s a big factor for LSU. The fact they have developed so many DBs. Coach Raymond developed so many DBs at the school. The recruiting is in the pudding. There are so many greats that played at LSU. I’d say history as far as LSU.”

With Raymond back in Baton Rouge, and Pickett already familiar with LSU’s track record of defensive backs turning into NFL Draft picks, the Tigers were considered by many to be the team to beat entering the month of June.

“I liked LSU before (Raymond) even got there, but once he left Florida and he went to LSU, it was a no-brainer to go visit and see how everything is,” Pickett said. “He said once I visit, I would love it.”

Across five visits to LSU in five months, including an official visit, Pickett said his relationship with the staff – including defensive coordinator Blake Baker – has strengthened in a big way, and he’s also become much more familiar with what the school offers outside of football.

“I learned a lot at LSU about the atmosphere. A lot of people tell you about the environment of it. It’s basically like my hometown, that’s another plus for me,” Pickett said. “It’s somewhere I feel comfortable at. At LSU, there are a lot of cool people there. And the food is good.”

With Raymond’s return to Baton Rouge, the mission has become to rebuild a cornerback room that has relied largely on transfer portal additions across the two seasons Raymond wasn’t recruiting the position at LSU.

As dominos continue to fall at cornerback, Raymond’s message is loud and clear to Pickett as the rebuild begins and the Tigers search for a top cornerback addition.

“I feel like they just need the right guys to come in there and change it around,” he said. “It only takes one year, then it starts rolling from there. And not even Coach Raymond, but Coach Blake is a good coach and a good guy. I feel like those guys will be able to turn it around.”

With a decision looming, Oregon has taken the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine lead over the Tigers and Hurricanes, but will either LSU or Miami be able to pull off the surprise addition of the Sunshine State standout?

This past weekend, Pickett’s fathered detailed the visits to each school and what each program and campus bring to the table as the dust settles on his son’s recruitment.

Oregon: “The flight, we had bad weather and it was a pretty rough flight. But like I tell anybody, once you get to Oregon you forget about all of that. It’s the Mecca. It’s nice out there. All facilities, treatment for injuries, everything is top notch. It’s Oregon, it’s great.”

LSU: “Man, Mike the Tiger — that’s my man, Mike the Tiger was there, too. LSU, I like the fact that the living arrangements are so close to the football facilities. And knowing my son, that’s all he wants — from his living arrangements from the dorm straight to the facilities. Film, weight room all that is right there. I love that about LSU, that everything is right there. And Corey Raymond is special.”

Miami: “Miami, man. We got showed around by the police, man. That was crazy. It was different. Miami, they showed us Miami without all the partying and all that. We did a lot of stuff around the campus, a lot of eating. But we stayed a lot around campus and that’s what we want to see — we want to see the campus life. You know, when you hear MIami you think partying and all that stuff. Being around the campus, there’s none of that going on.”

While Pickett checks in as a Top 5 prospect and No. 1 cornerback on On3, he’s currently the No. 6 overall prospect and No. 2 cornerback in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings broke down what Pickett brings to the field on Friday nights in Florida.

“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. Has a tall, 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. Has elite range as a deep safety. Reads and jumps routes to make plays on the ball. Has fluid feet and is a loose mover, increasing optimism about the projection to corner.

“Looks to be the most physical top cornerback prospect in the 2025 cycle, flying downhill and delivering big hits on ball carriers. Doubles as a game-breaking receiver with the ability to take the top off of defenses and come down with acrobatic contested catches. Finished his junior season with 1,033 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns and one interception. Was ranked as a safety early on, but could be a legitimate high-end cornerback prospect or even play some offense in college. Will need to gain experience if he converts to corner, primarily having been a safety at the high school level. A bit older for the cycle, with a May birthday. Will need to continue adding good mass to his leaner frame once in college.”