4-star EDGE Booker Pickett narrows list to nine schools

Tampa (Fla.) Wharton four-star EDGE Booker Pickett has amassed nearly three dozen offers with almost a year left until he can sign with a program.

But the No. 74 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus is ready to take the next step in his recruitment and has narrowed down to nine top schools: Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Miami, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee and USC.

“It was pretty tough,” he told On3 of cutting his list down. “I have built some strong relationships, and I have gotten close to coaches and players at some schools. It came down to what is best for me. These schools stand out because of the relationships I have built and how I feel about the school. These are schools I can see myself fitting into the defense, the culture and just being around that program in the future.”

Now that he has trimmed to a smaller group, his next focus is getting to know more about each of the nine programs in his top group.

“I will be taking some unofficial visits in the spring and summer,” he said. “I will likely take official visits during the season and see how the relationships continue to grow. The plan is to take things slow, commit maybe mid-season, but probably after the season. Things could change, but I do not see myself committing over the summer. I will be looking to take my official visits during the season.”

As to what he’s looking for when he ultimately chooses his final destination, Pickett said that consistency will be a major factor.

“Consistency is very important to me. As I get out, take visits and continue the process, who stays consistent with me will be a big factor. I am big on relationships and I want to see who makes me feel at home.”

Booker Pickett breaks down his top nine schools

Pickett hasn’t visited Penn State, USC, Louisville or Tennessee yet, but those programs have made enough an impression for him to keep them in the mix. He broke down each program and what they bring to the table as he considers them.

Florida State: “That is my dream school. My dad went to Miami, so I wanted to be different as a kid. I have taken a lot of visits to Florida State, and I like what coach Mike Norvell is doing there. Their defense is always attacking, they have shown they can sack the quarterback and the program is coming back. Their coaches have gotten to know me, the people are great and that chant their fans do is something special.”

Georgia: “I visited Georgia last summer and it is different. The city of Athens is nice, the people are great and Coach Kirby Smart is doing a great job there. Georgia wins, they develop players and they play in the SEC, so it is a powerhouse I have to keep taking to and looking at.”

Louisville: “They recruit Florida hard. They have really recruited me and I have some strong relationships there. They attack the quarterback, they produce players like me and I like how they are recruiting me.”

Miami: “My dad played at Miami, so I know a lot about the program. The culture, the coaches and the people there make them stand out for me. I am close with Coach Cristobal and I know Coach Jason Taylor would develop me. It is a school coming back up and me and Coach Cristobal have gotten close. It has that home feeling for me down there.”

Ohio State: “That is a school I grew up watching. I have connections there and it is DEU. I can go there, play for a national championship and get developed by Coach Larry Johnson. Coach Ryan Day is a great man, I like him as a coach and there is something different about being in Ohio. It has a great feeling for me up there.”

Penn State: “I like the culture at Penn State, how they wear all white, how their fans always support them and their culture stands out. I see how they develop defensive ends too. They develop guys at my position and that stands out. The coaches are impressive too.”

South Carolina: “It is a school moving up. They are growing as a program. I love the coaches, the city, the fans and how they are recruiting me. It is a program I could see myself at for sure. Their coaches are really doing a great job.”

Tennessee: “They are recruiting me hard. It is definitely a place I will visit. I just want to learn more about them. The program is building and it is a school I need to keep talking to and learning more about.”

USC: “I can’t wait to visit USC. Lincoln Riley stopped by Wharton to check on me in January, and I have had some good talks with him. My old coach (Mike Williams) played at USC, so I know a lot about the program and what they are on the West Coast. I want to get out there this spring.”