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On3 ranks LSU 5-star signee DJ Pickett as the No. 1 CB in America

On3 imageby:Shea Dixon•about 13 hours•

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LSU 5-star signee DJ Pickett is On3's No. 1 cornerback for the 2025 class
LSU 5-star signee DJ Pickett is On3's No. 1 cornerback for the 2025 class

LSU football’s decision to bring Corey Raymond back to Baton Rouge resulted in the Tigers signing a Florida native in 5-star DJ Pickett.

With the release of the final On300 for the 2025 class, Pickett finished as not just a 5-star, but a Top 10 overall prospect and On3’s No. 1 cornerback recruit in America.

On3 is the lone recruiting service (247, Rivals, ESPN) to rank Pickett as one of the Top 10 overall prospects in the cycle, a decision On3 National Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power said he’s confident in after watching Pickett across his high school career.

The NFL comparison: New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was a Top 5 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft as the second corner taken after LSU standout and former On3 5-star Derek Stingley Jr.

“DJ Pickett’s unique combination of stature, length, athleticism and ball skills as a tall corner reminds us of Sauce Gardner,” Power said. “Each played both ways at the high school level as a wide receiver and defensive back. Pickett is a more established prospect at the same stage, while Gardner was more of a late bloomer.”

Pickett was once ranked by On3 as the No. 1 safety in the 2025 class, but Raymond’s pursuit of Pickett at cornerback led to the position switch for the rankings team – and ultimately ended with the 6-foot-4, 180-plus pound two-way standout being ranked as the best cornerback in America.

Here’s the On3 breakdown on what LSU is getting in the 5-star cornerback out of the Sunshine State, who is already on campus in Baton Rouge as an early-enrollee.

1. DJ Pickett — LSU

School: Zephyrhills (Fla.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 10 NATL.

Scouting Summary: “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.

…Has rare fluidity in his backpedal and hips for such a tall corner. Reads and jumps routes to make plays on the ball. Showed the ability to fly downhill and deliver big hits on ball carriers while playing as a safety in his junior year. 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 projects as a legitimate high-end cornerback prospect and is talented enough to be considered a blue-chip wide receiver. 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. Has significant upside as a potential early contributor and high NFL Draft pick.”

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