ZEPHYRHILLS — Zephyrhills High two-way standout DJ Pickett, a consensus five-star recruit and LSU signee, has been named to Sports Illustrated’s 2024 High School All-America team.
Pickett, who finished his career as Pasco County’s all-time leading receiver (2,577 yards), is his school’s first prep All-American since his uncle, Ryan Pickett, earned consensus prep All-America honors in 1997. A nose tackle, the elder Pickett played at Ohio State and spent 14 seasons in the NFL.
Ranked 16th on the ESPN300 list of the Class of 2025’s top recruits, Pickett is listed as an athlete on the SI team. As a senior, he had five interceptions as a defensive back while collecting 658 receiving yards for the Bulldogs, who finished 8-4 and reached the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.
He finished his prep career with 10 picks, 130 catches, 2,577 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Pickett is the only Tampa Bay area player to make the 37-member team. Other Florida selections were Cocoa receiver Jayvan Boggs (FSU signee), Plantation American Heritage athlete Malachi Toney (Miami), Miami Washington defensive back Ben Hanks Jr. (Florida), Venice three-way star “Winnie” Watkins (Ole Miss) and Ocoee junior linebacker Michael McClenton (UCF pledge).
