Five-star DB DJ Pickett: The resume of Florida Gators’ Corey Raymond a ‘big factor’
ZEPHYRHILLS, FL. — Name a college football program and there is a good chance defensive back DJ Pickett has already collected an offer from them, although he still has two years of high school left.
Pickett, a 2025 five-star prospect from Zephyrhills (Fla.) High, is labeled the No. 1-ranked safety and No. 8-ranked prospect overall. That is according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
The Sunshine State native is a tower in the secondary and likely stands 6-foot-4 in cleats. He could be a high-level prospect at wide receiver too, but some schools are recruiting Pickett as a big cornerback, with one being the University of Florida.
According to the On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Gators are trending slightly with odds of 22.2 percent. They have received the most visits to this point as well.
When speaking with Gators Online, Pickett opened up about who is recruiting him the hardest, why Florida is viewed as a strong contender, the Corey Raymond effect, fall visit plans and more.
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One-on-one with DJ Pickett
You have been collecting offers since middle school, but recruiting went to the next level on Aug. 1. How is recruiting going for you?
“The process got more crazy. My phone is always ringing, but I’m grateful though.”
From the start of today’s practice until now, how many unread text messages do you think you have?
“I open mine, but if I didn’t open them, probably about 300-400. But that includes other contacts too.”
I’m sure one of those schools contacting you is Florida. How is everything going with the Gators?
“It’s just the relationship I have with them; it feels like family there. It’s not too far from home. Coach Raymond, like he tells my dad, it’s going to be hard for me to leave Florida, so I’m excited to see what that comes down to.”
How big of a factor is Raymond’s overall coaching resume?
“It’s pretty big because he did it over and over and over again. They are in the league to this day, so that plays a big factor. At the end of the day, my goal is to make it to the NFL. I want a coach who will develop me and prepare me for the NFL.”
Talk about your bond with Billy Napier. How strong is that relationship?
“It’s actually pretty good. I feel like I can talk to him about anything. When I was at the 7v7 tournament, he was helping me get Gatorade and things like that when I needed it. That’s pretty big.”
It has been hectic since the start of August; there is no doubting that. Is there one school, or a few, recruiting you the hardest right now?
“There are four: Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Oregon…and Florida State too.”
Those schools have been linked to your recruitment for some time. Are those the early front runners?
“That’s it pretty much, but there are some schools I have to go see. I’ve seen Texas and I like the whole state of Texas, but I just want to see game days on a game day and just go from there.”
In the back of your mind, do you have one school out front in your recruitment?
“I got a couple.”
As for the University of Michigan, that is where your mother graduated from. How much does that factor into your recruitment?
“It really doesn’t play a big factor, but it’s pretty cool. My grandma is not that far from there and she wants me to go there. Every time I’m up there, she’s with me and helping me through things during the tour, like, finding out the academic stuff and things like that.”
Plenty of schools tried hosting you the final weekend of July. The initial plan was to visit Florida, and there were rumors of you possibly visiting Georgia too, but Miami is where you went. What stands out about the Hurricanes?
“That’s a dream school of mine. I got family there. Miami is Miami. I can build my brand there and the coaching staff is amazing. All around, that is my dream school.”
What are your visit plans for the fall? Have you scheduled any dates?
“I’m going to try going to an Oregon game, Georgia, Florida and schools like that. Also, somewhere in my top 13 that I just put out. I’d love to go to those games.”
How important is it to stay in the Sunshine State? Is proximity a significant factor?
“You can basically send me anywhere, but at the end of the day, I’m just there to get my education and play football. You got to do what you got to do.”
Where would you say the Gators fit into the big picture for you?
“They are pretty high up there. I just feel like with these schools, it’s just going to come down to the end.”
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
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