The LSU Tigers made it a priority to bring back its top defensive talent. 6-foot-5 cornerback DJ Pickett's elite athleticism and shutdown potential cement his crucial role for the Tigers.
These days in college football, no one can be considered a sure thing to return to their school for another season as long as they have eligibility remaining. For the LSU Tigers, they were able to keep their most important players while also adding a ton in the transfer portal.
ESPN's Max Olson recently took a look at who the key returning player is for all of the top teams around the country. For the Tigers, it was cornerback DJ Pickett.
Pickett was a highly touted high school recruit who made it nearly impossible to take him off the field as a freshman, despite the experienced talent ahead of him on the depth chart. In year two, he will have the opportunity to be a starter out of the gate.
The Florida native was the No. 11 overall player in the country on the 247Sports composite rankings. He was the second-ranked cornerback and the best player in all of Florida.
Ohio State Buckeyes corner Devin Sanchez was the one ranked ahead of Pickett at the position. So far, it's been the LSU standout that has looked better. Both should end up being spectacular players by the time they make it to the next level.
What makes Pickett so interesting is his build. He's a great athlete and is absurdly tall for a cornerback at 6-foot-5. He moves incredibly well for that size, which normally forces players into a different position. The combination of speed and length that he provides is unique.
Over 304 coverage snaps as a freshman, Pickett was targeted 38 times and allowed just 20 catches per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He was only beaten really badly once when he gave up a 58-yard catch against the Oklahoma Sooners. That was the only catch over 23 yards that he had on him.
It's no wonder why the Tigers made it a priority to bring him back. With Mansoor Delane heading to the NFL, they need someone to step up.
Pickett earned a new NIL deal after the season, which is one of the reasons he was retained. Another reason, potentially bigger, was the fact that defensive backs coach Corey Raymond was brought back with Blake Baker's staff mostly remaining the same.
He wasn't the only important player brought back, though. Trey'Dez Green, Harlem Berry, Caden Durham and Braelin Moore are just a couple of the other players who were key names brought back. They're also pretty much the only offensive names brought back, and for good reason.