No. 1 cornerback in America, LSU Commit DJ Pickett shares recruiting news

Zephyrhills (Fla.) five-star cornerback DJ Pickett sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting community after announcing his commitment to the LSU Tigers in July.

The No. 1 cornerback in America chose Brian Kelly’s program over Oregon and Miami, but that didn’t stop top programs from spreading.

Pickett has several ties to the Hurricanes. He is a native of the Sunshine State, and his cousin is now in Coral Gables.

Pickett has been on campus a few times this fall to check out Miami, but that hasn’t swayed his commitment to the Bayou Bengals.

Although he remains active on the recruiting scene, Pickett continues to voice his pledge to Kelly and company.

On Sunday, he again gave a glimpse of where he is in his recruitment with the purple and gold after posting a countdown to LSU’s commitment on social media.

Pickett plans to put pen to paper in December during the early signing period before enrolling early and taking his talents to Baton Rouge.

We’ve seen sideline chatter surrounding his recruitment over the past few months as the Hurricanes “gain momentum” on the road, but Pickett continues to double down.

The five-star prospect wants to play for second-year LSU coach Corey Raymond. He was adamant about it during his trial and gave no indication that had changed.

“I wish (Oregon and Miami) the best, but I’m at LSU right now,” Pickett said after announcing his decision in July. “If you’re a DB and Coach Raymond is at LSU, I think that’s the right place. That tells you everything.”

It was simple. After Raymond was hired by Kelly and returned to LSU, Pickett’s attention shifted to Baton Rouge.

He believed in the vision Raymond had for him in the Bayou State.

“Just the Corey Raymond factor. And this is Defensive Back U. DBU. That’s a big factor for LSU,” Pickett’s father told On3Sports. “The fact that they developed so many DBs. Coach Raymond has developed so many DBs at the school. Recruitment in the pudding. There are so many greats that played at LSU. I would say LSU history.”

LSU has seen a decline in talent in the secondary over the past few years, and Pickett wants to be a key contributor to changing the trajectory of the unit.

With the help of Pickett and an elite cornerback set to make his way to Baton Rouge next year, the ceiling for Raymond’s unit is sky high.

Pickett will be joined by four-stars Aidan Anding and Cade Phillips after the duo announced their commitments to LSU last summer.

“I feel like they just need the right guys to come in there and make a difference,” Pickett said, via On3 Sports. “It only takes one year, and then it all starts.”

Pickett now remains locked in with the LSU Tigers, with the early signing period looming in December.

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Follow Zach Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and the LSU Tigers on SI: @LSUTigersSI for all materials pertaining to the LSU program.