The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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48 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2023 BY EJ HOLLAND D J Pickett waited patiently while a cheerleader dug through a box on the track after a Zephyrhills (Fla.) High win in late September. It took a while, but she finally pulled out Pickett's postgame prize — a tiny, orange plush football. An item that el- ementary students normally fight for after they're launched into the bleach- ers following touchdowns was of the utmost importance to the No. 1-ranked safety in the country in the 2025 re- cruiting class. The souvenir wasn't a gift for a girl or one of the many children who wanted a photo with their hometown hero. That mini football was for Pickett to take home. "He'll walk around with it all day," said Pickett's mother, Tammie. "DJ does have a little bit of anxiety, and it helps throughout the day. He has so much pressure. DJ probably has a basket of them. He also collects them. "Don't ask me why, but that's my kid. Whatever helps him is fine because he has to go through this. That's what he would ask for during Christmas. And he would be so happy with it." Plush footballs and actual pigskins have been a part of Pickett's life since he was old enough to walk. According to Tammie, DJ never played with toys or took interest in video games. It was all football, all the time. Fast-forward to now, and Pickett has become one of the most sought-after blue-chip prospects in America, with offers from the likes of Alabama, Flor- ida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, Texas and a slew of others. There is a lot of glitz and glamour that comes with being a five-star recruit, but Pickett really does put in the work be- hind the scenes. From morning training sessions, to online and regular classes, to after-school practices, to field- ing calls from coaches and reporters, Pickett may need a new plush football every now and then to get through the recruiting process. "We're extremely blessed, but it is a lot," Tammie said. "It can be over- whelming at times. DJ is still a kid. He still has schoolwork and chores around the house. "After all this is all said and done, I'm going to write a book. You see the good things about it like, 'Oh my God, ev- eryone wants your kid.' But remember, we're still parents that have to get them across the stage for high school, and we have to work. It's hard." Pickett has a good support system around him, which is a necessity in the new NIL era of college football. As a top-10 recruit nationally, he is going to command plenty of potential NIL deals. And it's no secret some schools are of- fering top targets upfront money. Tammie has a plan. She's already meeting with advisors at JPMorgan Chase & Co., looking into patents and creating an LLC. On the surface, it seems like NIL will be a factor on the recruiting trail for the Pickett family, but that's far from the truth. When it comes to NIL, Tammie is sim- ply looking out for DJ's future. In fact, she will not allow DJ to touch any of his future NIL earnings while he's enrolled in college. Every penny will be invested. "I always say, 'Don't talk to me about money,'" Tammie said. "NIL is great be- cause these kids work so hard, and col- leges do make money off of it. "The thing about DJ is he doesn't have to think, 'I have to make it and take care of my mom.' I'm going to be blunt… with African American players, nine times out of 10, they have to take care of their parents. "DJ is spoiled. He drives a Dodge Challenger and lives in a new home. Money isn't at the forefront, and he's not a money-hungry person. "When it comes, it comes. I tell DJ never to chase a dollar. It's about doing Pickett, from Zephyrhills (Fla.) High, is the No. 1-ranked safety in the 2025 recruiting cycle. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND ❱ FOOTBALL RECRUITING Five-Star Recruit DJ Pickett Is A Unique Talent With Strong Michigan Ties