Where Miami football stands in top 5 for 5-star DB D.J. Pickett

Five-star defensive back D.J. Pickett named Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan and Oregon as his top five schools. The Miami football program is in a good position to gain a commitment from the cousin of 2024 signee Booker Pickett Jr. Pickett told 247Sports he connected with Booker Jr. during his Coral Gables visit.

There are no crystal balls logged for Pickett by 247Sports. Florida previously had the lead for Pickett with a 25 percent chance for a commitment per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Michigan was second at 12.6 percent, Florida State third at 8.2, with Miami at 6.8. Those numbers obviously need to be updated.

Pickett is the seventh prospect, third cornerback and top-player in Florida in the 247Sports composite rankings. Pickett is also listed as a safety separately on his 247Sports profile. At 6'2 and 170 pounds, Pickett has excellent length for CB and safety but will have to add bulk to his frame.

Steve Wiltfong, the Director Of Recruiting for 247 Sports, interviewed Pickett. Pickett spoke about his visit to Miami, particularly with Booker, the proximity to his home in Tampa, the ability to play with his cousin and the relationship with Mario Cristobal and the Miami football staff.

"“That was good...I was chilling with my cousin Booker and being around him at the same school is something you can’t really ask for. That was pretty big. Hopefully I’ll be able to play with him again too...It’s not too far from home...The people like Coach Cristobal. And then I got my cousin there. I know that I’ll be good and they have that good d-line and that’s a big part for DBs. And it just run-in the family. We’ll see.”"

- Five-star 2025 DB D.J. Pickett

Pickett also discussed the other four teams in his top five with Wiltfong. Building relationships was the primary link among all five programs. At Oregon, Pickett spoke more about seeing the facilities. Miami defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae, who was leading the recruitment for Pickett, left for the Buffalo Bills this week.

Expect Cristobal and defensive coordinator Lance Guidry to handle the recruitment for Pickett until a new DB coach is hired. Guidry worked with the safeties last year, while Addae primarily coached the CBs. Pickett would be a foundational player in the 2025 Miami class. Miami currently has four commits in the 2025 class.