Four-Star EDGE Booker Pickett Jr. commits to Miami

Four-star EDGE Booker Pickett Jr. of Tampa (FL) Wharton High announced his commitment to Miami Thursday evening.

The 6-foot-4, 210 pounder chose the Hurricanes over Florida State and Ohio State.

“Really every time I went it was a great experience,” Pickett said. “Coach Taylor has been in my position and being coached by a Hall of Famer is great. He knows what it takes for me to make it to the next level. Also, everyone in my family has gone to Miami. From my mom and dad, to my brother. It’s not too far from home.”

His relationship with the coaching staff and their plan for him played a role in his decision as well.

“Coach Taylor has been to my school multiple times and has told me I fit perfectly in his scheme. Me and him are really close as well as (Mario) Cristobal. I love talking to him; he’s a great person.”

The Sunshine State EDGE joins coach Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes’ Top 20 class in the 2024 team rankings. He is accompanied by four-star EDGE Marquise Lightfoot, four-star wide receiver Joshisa Trader, and others.

Booker Pickett Recruiting Profile

Pickett ranks as the No. 221 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 19 EDGE and the No. 31 player in Florida.

Personal Life (via On3)

“Booker Pickett was named a MaxPreps Junior All-American after a 2022 season that saw him rack up 56 tackles, a jaw-dropping 30 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. He also helped Tampa (Florida) Wharton finish with an 8-3 record and make Florida’s 3M playoffs. “I’m an edge rusher that can get to the quarterback from wherever I line up,” Pickett told On3. “My job is to get after the quarterback and take him down.” Pickett’s uncle is former Ohio State great, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett. He played 14 seasons in the NFL and was selected in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams.”

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $63K. 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.