LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly had plenty to say about one of his newest recruits, star cornerback DJ Pickett. The Tigers have been on fire this recruiting cycle, landing a top-tier 2025 class that ranks fourth nationally and first in the SEC. Pickett wasted no time getting to work, arriving on campus as an early enrollee in December.
On National Signing Day, Kelly couldn’t help but gush over one name in particular, DJ Pickett. The highly touted cornerback has already turned heads in Baton Rouge, and Kelly made it clear that expectations are sky-high.
Brian Kelly’s Lofty Expectations for DJ Pickett
The future in Baton Rouge is shaping up to be nothing short of elite, with LSU doubling down on strengthening its defensive backfield this offseason. The Tigers have gathered in a star-studded trio of five-star talents: Pickett, Harlem Berry, and Carius Curne. This gives Kelly a wealth of firepower to work with.
Kelly is quite interested in seeing Pickett’s path to success in the upcoming season. He mentioned that he is the only lockdown corner in the country right now and could be quite valuable for the program.
Brian Kelly and the #LSU Tigers have retooled the defensive backfield this offseason.
One name that stands out: DJ Pickett.
The No. 1 CB in America is already turning heads in Baton Rouge as an early-enrollee.
All eyes remain on the 5-star corner.
“This is an elite player.” pic.twitter.com/64FsAiYhrL
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) February 18, 2025
“DJ Pickett, arguably the number one corner in the country. I don’t even know if it’s an argument. We believe he’s hands down the best corner in the country. Incredible length, at six foot four, 180 pounds,” Kelly said during the National Signing Day. “I don’t know that I’ve ever felt that there is a lockdown corner, but he’s about as close as there’s a lockdown corner in the country; it’s DJ Pickett.”
“And his offensive field might be as good, if not better, if you’ve ever watched him. So this is an elite player that we’re excited to have on our roster,” he added.
Kelly couldn’t hide his excitement when reflecting on this year’s recruiting haul. With a roster now stacked with elite young talent, the Tigers hit the jackpot from landing top-tier prospects to bolstering depth across key positions.
“I think across the board, the ability to put on good weight from a nutrition standpoint and train the physical elements that are necessary during this time, I don’t think there is a freshman we feel has not met that challenge coming in mid-semester,” Kelly said.
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“I don’t want to point out any one individual, but all of them have met or exceeded the growth chart we’ve put in front of them. That’s really encouraging,” he added.
With this influx of young talent, Kelly is fired up to lead his squad into 2025. The Tigers have built a powerhouse, and as the season approaches, LSU is shaping up to be a serious playoff contender.
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