Every recruiting class has them: The household names who are tracked breathlessly, who can send a fan base into a whirlwind with one cryptic tweet, who become water-cooler (i.e.,message board) fodder because of two things: They’re really damn good — and they’re uncommitted. As the 2025 recruiting class hits the fall slate of visits, 247Sports is profiling a slew of these players in the War Daddy series as our analysts handicap far-and-wide recruiting battles and tell you why these players matter on a national scale.
The nation recruits Florida because of its depth, so to be the top player in the state speaks highly about said player’s ability.
In the 2025 class, Zephyrhills (Fla.) High cornerback DJ Pickett holds the distinction. Not only is he the top player in the Sunshine State, he is the nation’s No. 3 cornerback, No. 8 overall player and top uncommitted defensive back.
The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Pickett has four official visits set, others pushing to get him on campus for an official visit and a close connection to his family, which could turn into a factor in his recruitment.
He has official visits set to Georgia, Oregon, Miami and LSU, but others remain involved. Florida State is pushing to get a visit and given Pickett’s combination of talent and size, others will continue to push for him to visit later in the spring and into the fall.
His official visits are set to begin May 31 at LSU. Georgia will host Pickett the weekend of June 7, followed by Miami (June 14) and Oregon (June 21).
“It’s going to be where he feels most comfortable for three or four years,” Zephyrhills coach Nick Carroll said. “Where he has a relationship with head coach and position coach, and there is credibility and continuity there.”
NIL should allow Pickett’s family to get to games regardless of the location, but time and distance could play a factor.
Pickett could tire of the process and make a summer decision, but do not be surprised if he remains uncommitted entering the fall and he gets to campus for visits then.
“His mom and dad are great mentors in his life,” Carroll said. “They are both great influences in his life.
“I can only imagine what his phone is like at night. He kinds of keeps to himself. I think he manages it pretty well, but I can’t imagine the amount of calls and texts he gets every day.”
There is a change in spring in-person recruiting, which will make the next month interesting.
College programs only get one spring visit (instead of two) now and there will be plenty of schools outside of the official visit destinations stopping by Zephyrhills.
Here is a closer look at each of the involved programs in alphabetical order:
