The whiffs keep on coming for Miami
The hits (or misses, as they were) kept coming for Miami’s recruiting class when Zephyrhills (FL) 5-star DB D.J. Pickett became the latest elite player to spurn Miami’s recruiting advances to instead stick with his commitment and sign with LSU.
Zephyrhills 5-star DB DJ Pickett sticks with LSU.
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) December 4, 2024
A 6’4” DB with tons of speed, athleticism, skill, and potential, Pickett is a player that Miami had been chasing for years. His cousin Booker Pickett Jr. is a freshman edge rusher for the Canes, his uncle Booker Pickett Sr. was an edge rusher for Miami from 1994-96, his younger cousin Canon is a top OL target in the class of 2026, and his dad is a known Miami fan. Despite those (and other) strong connections to the Hurricanes, Pickett has elected to take his prodigious talents elsewhere.
For Miami, this continues the trend of missing on elite defensive backs, something that has plagued this program for years. You know the names on this list well: Patrick Peterson (then Johnson). Tarvarus McFadden. Pat Surtain II. Tyson Campbell. The Wilson brothers, Quincy and Marco. Asante Samuel Jr. Earl Little Jr. And more. And now, you can add D.J. Pickett to that list.
Even though Pickett projects on defense instead of offense (although, he is Pasco County’s all-time leading receiver as he plays both ways in HS), this nearly matches the magnitude of Miami whiffing on superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith last year. Not a great trend to continue, yet here we are.
For Miami, the path forward continues to add championship caliber talent to the roster. Unfortunately, that won’t include Pickett.
More to come on Miami recruiting through the Early Signing Period and National Signing Day in February.
Go Canes