ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — When you’re the top recruit in Florida, sometimes it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

Nearly every Division I program wanted Zephyrhills High School senior D.J. Pickett.

What You Need To Know

  • D.J. Pickett is the top football recruit in Florida

  • The Zephyrhills High School senior narrowed his college choices down to LSU, Miami and Oregon before verbally committing to the Tigers
  • Pickett is continuing a family football tradition at Zephyrhills — his father, uncle and cousin all played for the Bulldogs

He narrowed his recruiting down to LSU, Miami and Oregon before verbally committing to the Tigers. When you’re one of the most coveted players in the nation, it would be hard not to get a big head. But that’s not D.J.

“I don’t let it really get to me,” Pickett said. “I act like I’ve been here before.”

Only a handful of high school football players earn five stars. Pickett is one of them. But he’s not resting on his stars. He’s been in the weight room all offseason working hard to get better.

That’s what football has taught him — a great work ethic and how to handle the tough times.

“It’s not really about the sport,” he said. “It’s about off-the-field things. Football’s hard and when things get hard, how are you going to handle it? So, I feel like that’s what football prepares football players for.”

A two-way star for the Bulldogs, Pickett caught 52 passes for 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also collecting 31 tackles and an interception last year.

This season, he wants to continue showing off his versatility and making the football field his home.

“It’s just something that I really love and just something that I really love to do,” Pickett said. “I mean, I like track. Track is also a good sport. But I feel like my heart is with football.”

It’s got a special place in his heart. And it’s in his blood. A lot of members of Pickett’s family have played at Zephyrhills, including his dad, cousin and his uncle, Ryan, who went to star at Ohio State and then won a Super Bowl title with the Green Bay Packers. His family is his why.

“It’s really because of the sacrifices that my family has made for me to put me in this position,” he said. “So, I can’t quit on them. That’s just the way I think about it.”