DJ Pickett commits to LSU for 2026 season

By Hunt Palmer

The best cornerback in America is leaving LSU. His heir apparent is coming back.

D.J. Pickett will be back at LSU in 2026, and he’ll have the duty of replacing the role of Mansoor Delane who is off to the NFL Draft.

Committed to The Boot

DJ Pickett | Year 2 pic.twitter.com/tTqgJlFlbZ

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) January 2, 2026

Pickett, the nation’s top high school cornerback in the class of 2025, enjoyed a stellar freshman season that included three interceptions and six passes broken up. He played in all 13 games and added a pair of sacks to his coverage playmaking.

On3 named Pickett the National True Freshman of the Year on defense.

In December it was announced that Pickett was one of 10 LSU athletes to partner with Nike Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program. He and Trey’Dez Green were the football representatives.

At 6-foot-5, Pickett brings rare size to the cornerback position. He and junior-to-be PJ Woodland likely will form Corey Raymond’s first team on the outside. LSU will likely explore transfer portal acquisitions in the secondary, but keeping Pickett off the market was the first priority.