"Suit him up against Baylor!": LSU fans react to 5-star ATH signee Damien Pickett Jr.'s first training session with the Tigers

By Aman Sharma

Modified Dec 24, 2024 18:08 GMT

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LSU fans are ecstatic over five-star athlete Damien Pickett Jr., who recently made waves during his first training session with the Tigers. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 170 pounds, Pickett is ranked as the No. 1 athlete in the 2025 recruiting class and is Florida’s No. 2 prospect, according to ESPN’s rankings.

Fans expressed their enthusiasm about him:

“Suit him up against Baylor!" A fan exclaimed.

"Needs to go eat a sandwich or something," another said.

Reactions on Instagram

Here is how other fans expressed their reactions:

"That 2025 class gon be something special!" A fan quipped.

"What an upgrade in 3 on the defensive side," another quipped.

Image via Ig@lsufootball

“Can he play vs. Baylor???” Another joked.

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The excitement is palpable for the highly-touted recruit, who committed to LSU in July, choosing the Tigers over Miami and Oregon. Known for his versatility, Pickett’s future at LSU lies in the defensive backfield.

He cited LSU’s reputation as “DBU” and his relationship with secondary coach Corey Raymond as major reasons for his commitment.

"Me and Corey Raymond have a good bond," Pickett shared on ESPN. "I'm a big relationship guy. And LSU is DBU. Playing defensive back there is a blessed spot to be in."

During his junior year at Zephyrhills High School, Pickett’s two-way talent was on full display. He recorded 52 receptions for 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns while contributing 31 tackles and an interception on defense.

Beyond football, he’s a standout athlete in track, winning district titles as a sprinter, and he also competes in basketball and baseball.

Pickett’s athletic lineage runs deep. His uncle, Ryan Pickett, was a Super Bowl-winning nose tackle for the Green Bay Packers during a 14-year NFL career.

LSU adds star power: Florida State’s Patrick Payton headlines transfer class

Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton will now be part of the LSU football team, again proving a high-profile recruit. Payton is a commanding player who is rated first among defensive ends in the transfer portal by ESPN and also ranked as the 12th best player. There is one year of eligibility left for him.

A towering 6-foot-5 and 250-pound player, Payton is bringing a bright future résumé to Baton Rouge. The 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year has 80 pressures, 31.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and 13 pass breakups over three seasons.

LSU’s transfer class now boasts four of ESPN's top 12 transfers. This includes Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown (No. 7), Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane (No. 9) and Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson (No. 11).

After an 8-4 season that included a strong start but late struggles, LSU is reloading under Coach Brian Kelly. They are eyeing the 2025 College Football Playoff. They will close the season against Baylor in the Kinder's Texas Bowl on Dec. 31.