LSU targeting yet another No. 1 ranked position group recruit

When looking at the class of 2025 recruiting cycle, it’s become abundantly clear that coach Brian Kelly and LSU are targeting the best of the best. In continuing this trend, he’s now going after DJ Pickett, the No. 1 ranked safety in the country.

Defensive recruiting will need to be a priority with an almost entirely new coaching staff

As good as the LSU recruiting class of 2025 looks early on, it has its fair share of holes to fill. Most notably, there are several spots yet to be checked off on the defensive side of the ball.

While they already have six committed players on offense, defense only has two, with cornerback Jaylen Bell and athlete Keylan Moses leading the charge. However, the lack of pledges isn’t due to a lack of trying.

Coach Brian Kelly and the entire Tiger coaching staff is going after some of the best recruits in the entire cycle, but it’s important to remember one very important factor when looking at the current state of recruiting on defense. The purple and gold are still building their defensive coaching staff.

After electing for a complete overhaul in that phase of the game, they’ve just begun to rebuild the staff this past week. On Friday, the hires began to flow in, as they brought in Blake Baker from Missouri to be their new defensive coordinator.

Excited to welcome Blake and his family back to Baton Rouge. Geaux Tigers! https://t.co/IGuUsM4CoL

— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) January 6, 2024

Baker, who was previously a part of the Tiger program in 2021 as the linebackers coach is making a return to Louisiana after a short stint away. While in Columbia, MO, he managed to turn a rough Missouri defense into one of the best in the country, getting them all the way up to No. 25 nationally this past season.

LSU one of many schools targeting No. 1 ranked class of 2025 safety DJ Pickett

Now, not only will Baker be tasked with bringing some major improvement to the Tiger defense, but he’ll also need to get going on the recruiting trail. One of the top targets going forward very well could be No. 1 ranked, five-star safety DJ Pickett, who has been offered by LSU, alongside many other schools.

Offers on the Table for Five-Star Safety DJ Pickett 👀

The 6’4 180 S from Zephyrhills, FL is ranked as a Top 10 Recruit in the ‘25 Class (No. 1 S)

Where Should He Go?https://t.co/D7Mbdpn4o8 pic.twitter.com/j7u8o6r2tY

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 8, 2024

A product out of Zephyrhills, FL, the No. 1 ranked safety in the class of 2025 stands at 6-foot-3, 170 pounds. With a 100-meter dash consistently under 11 seconds and a frame like his, it’s not hard to see how he’ll translate to the next level. More than anything, it’s just a matter of filling out his frame over the next few years.

Having been offered by some of the best programs in college football, including Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Texas, among several others, the Tigers have no shortage of competition for the five-star recruit. As of right now, in-state Florida looks like the early favorite, but things are pretty wide open for the time being.

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