5-star CB DJ Pickett sets Oregon official visit
Late last month, Oregon made the top six for Zephyrhills (Fla.) five-star cornerback DJ Pickett. The Ducks, along with Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Miami, are the remaining contenders for the No. 1 cornerback in the 2025 On300 rankings.
Pickett already had trips to LSU (May 31-June 2), Georgia (June 7-9), and Miami (June 14-16) on the docket. Now, the Ducks are locked in to host him the weekend of June 21 in Eugene.
He doesn’t plan to announce his commitment before the beginning of his senior year and Pickett has his eye on two official visits early in the season.
“I was planning to commit over the summer, but me and my dad talked about it, and we are going to see some games, see the atmospheres and I am going to take official visits to Florida and Florida State during the season.
“The plan now is to be patient. I will take a couple of visits this spring, the four official visits in June, then a couple early in the season and commit on Oct. 6. We have an off week that week and that is the date I am planning to make my decision.”
Pickett talks LSU, Georgia, Miami and Oregon
Last month, Pickett broke down some of his top schools with On3’s Chad Simmons:
LSU: “The connections I have there, especially with Coach Raymond, make LSU stand out. Then the history of LSU, what it can do for me on and off the field and the resources they have. I was on Florida heavy when Coach Raymond was there, but he is back at LSU, where he made them DBU, so that just adds fuel to the fire. LSU has that top recruiting class coming in too. I want to be around great players to get better each and every day, so that is something I like too.
Georgia: “Georgia was on me early and I have been there four times. Coach Kirby Smart is a good guy and a great coach. I have known him since I was in 8th grade, so we have a great relationship. T-Rob (Travaris Robinson) is there now and we had a good relationship from Alabama. Then you have Donte Williams too. Georgia has some great defensive back coaches on one staff. If you want to be a top defensive back, Georgia would be a great place to be at.”
Miami: “My connections to Miami factor into my interest a lot. People could tell after Coach Jahmile Addae left that my interest in the school was still there. My cousin (Booker Pickett) is there and I would love to play with my cousin again. The connections are strong and I have a lot of family down there, but I like the school too. Coach Mario Cristobal is a man of his word and he is on a mission to bring Miami back. He is bringing in top players, the team is working hard and who wouldn’t want to be part of that type of mindset? I like where the program is going.”
Oregon: “I have been out to Oregon three times now and it is the connections that keep me going back. I have known Coach Dan Lanning since I was in middle school and he keeps it real with me. Oregon has a cool atmosphere, I like the game-day environment and I like the resources they have. If I went there, I would be far from home and starting something new, so that is cool to think about. I also like the stability there. Coach Lanning is there to stay.”