Brian Kelly’s freakishly athletic prized recruit already projected to make All-American team ahead of LSU’s 2025 season
The college football season begins this weekend, which means it’s time to get excited for the on-field action coming. This is the last stretch before we can evaluate real football and not rely quite as much on projections, expectations, and others’ analysis. However, it’s still fun to set the bar on what we think will […]
The college football season begins this weekend, which means it’s time to get excited for the on-field action coming. This is the last stretch before we can evaluate real football and not rely quite as much on projections, expectations, and others’ analysis. However, it’s still fun to set the bar on what we think will happen now.
That includes the All-American teams that will be announced at the end of the season. Freshmen don’t always have immediate opportunities to establish themselves, but the top high school prospects from the 2025 class will find their way onto the gridiron at some point. It doesn’t take a starting role to become a freshman All-American.
The LSU Tigers brought in an impressive recruiting class last year, ranking seventh overall. Their top overall recruit was the 24th-best player in the country, cornerback DJ Pickett. The 6-foot-4, 180-pounder could start Day 1, providing the woeful LSU Tigers’ defense with a needed boost of talent, playmaking, and identity.
He’s now being projected to be a Freshman All-American in 2025.
Brian Kelly’s offense was spectacular last year, but the defense couldn’t stop choking away possessions. Offenses moved the ball at will, and LSU ranked 75th with 230.8 passing yards allowed and 53rd with 24.6 points allowed per game.
The hype is there, though. LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker talked about Pickett earlier this offseason.
“DJ has grown so much from when we had him in bowl practices to spring practice to now. Ten days in, there have been some days where we got to continue to work on his consistency, but the biggest improvement from spring to fall has been his physicality. He has done a really good job tackling this fall,” Baker said.
Charles Power of On3 shared why he selected Pickett to be a starting cornerback on his True Freshman All-American team.
“DJ Pickett was viewed as a near instant starter upon signing with LSU. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect has lived up to those lofty expectations and appears set to play a major role in the Tigers’ secondary as a true freshman. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder is a massive corner with athleticism and movement skills that belie his size. LSU and secondary coach Corey Raymond hope they have the next Patrick Peterson or Derek Stingley on their hands.”
