Top LSU target DJ Pickett narrows decision to 3 schools, Tigers in the mix

Few prospects are higher on LSU’s board than five-star cornerback DJ Pickett. LSU hired Corey Raymond to land prospects of Pickett’s caliber and rebuild a secondary that’s experienced volatility since Brian Kelly arrived at LSU.

According to On3, Pickett has trimmed his list to three schools, removing Georgia from the equation.

That’s not necessarily good or bad news, but it’s one less top school LSU has to compete with for Pickett’s services. The race is now between LSU, Oregon and Miami.

Last week, On3’s Steve Wiltfong said “If the decision was today, I’d ride with the Ducks.”

That comes as no surprise given Oregon’s heater on the recruiting trail. Dan Lanning and company recently secured a commitment from Dakorien Moore, the top wide receiver in the class and a former LSU commit. LSU losing another five-star to Oregon would sting, but it’s better than a conference rival.

Still, LSU is in need of a superstar corner. It’s been a while since the Tigers landed a five-star at the position. You’d have to go back to Eli Ricks in 2020.

That’s rare for a program that became accustomed to landing some of the top defensive backs in the country year after year.

LSU won a national title in 2019 behind a historic offense, but that defense had a five-star corner duo with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kristian Fulton. That’s the level of talent LSU needs on the backend if it wants to compete for titles again.

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