Four-star EDGE Booker Pickett Jr commits to Miami

Oct 19, 2023

The Miami Hurricanes' 2024 recruiting class received a boost with the commitment of four-star edge rusher Booker Pickett Jr. this evening. Pickett Jr. has notably chosen Miami over programs such as Florida State, Ohio State, Georgia, and South Carolina.

According to the 247sports composite rankings, Booker Pickett Jr. is ranked as the #212 player nationally, the #16 EDGE prospect, and impressively stands as the #29 player in the talent-rich state of Florida.

A native of Tampa, Florida, Pickett Jr. hails from Wharton High School. At 6-3 and weighing 205 pounds, he presents a frame with room to grow. This stature, combined with his skills, makes him an exceptional EDGE rusher. However, it's not just his size that's been turning heads. Labeled as a lanky, explosive pass rusher, Pickett Jr. boasts a staggering 30 sacks in his junior season alone.

What makes this commitment even more special for Miami Hurricanes is the history associated with the Pickett name. Booker Pickett Jr.'s decision to don the Hurricanes' jersey is reminiscent of family legacy as his father, Booker Pickett, played for Miami from 1994 to 1996.

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DadeCountyFinest

Feb 14, 2024

Him, Lightfoot and the transfer from marshall is going to add a pass rushing dynamic not seen since Jaelen Phillips

A
A1cane

Feb 14, 2024

gacaneaddict said:
IIRC he had a nasty knee injury, because he had flashed at LB his freshman year prior.

Multiple nasty knee injuries and before he got on campus too

Feb 14, 2024

DadeCountyFinest said:
Him, Lightfoot and the transfer from marshall is going to add a pass rushing dynamic not seen since Jaelen Phillips

How many years of eligibility does the Marshall kid have here?

pacusmc

Feb 14, 2024

Not gonna get my hopes up until they gain some weight.

Dwinstitles

Feb 14, 2024

88 said:
How many years of eligibility does the Marshall kid have here?

That dudes a terror

TC@ne

Feb 14, 2024

If Mesidor gets back to his 2022 self, this edge group is the deepest and most talented I can remember

Caneoverhere

Feb 14, 2024

Dwinstitles said:
That dudes a terror

Is he mostly a pass rusher or can he play against the run too?

Dwinstitles

Feb 14, 2024

Caneoverhere said:
Is he mostly a pass rusher or can he play against the run too?

Dude can rush that passer man I haven’t seen all of his film but he’s a dude off the edge. Pause

Odysseus

Feb 14, 2024

FrancisSawyer said:
With more on the way! The way this DE/Edge group is trending is very exciting as it is well on its way to elite level status. At DT is seems as though we are just now getting started in terms of recruiting the position at an elite level and that must continue in order to get that position up to the level where it should be. The way this staff was able to finish the 2024 cycle at DT was nothing short of spectacular and it saved us from being in a dire situation at the position.

Boys were big boy recruiting down the stretch when it came to the d-line that's a fact.

Odysseus

Feb 14, 2024

88 said:
How many years of eligibility does the Marshall kid have here?

I believe just one, but he's a menace was near the top in the nation in pressures

Confidence1000

Feb 14, 2024

TC@ne said:
If Mesidor gets back to his 2022 self, this edge group is the deepest and most talented I can remember

FrancisSawyer

Feb 15, 2024

88 said:
How many years of eligibility does the Marshall kid have here?

One.

Feb 15, 2024

FrancisSawyer said:
Basically Booker Pickett Sr. said that the coaches went over exactly how they want to use him. Said that it would depend on the opponent and situation but that Jr. will be used as a DE in the 4-2-5 as well as have a package at LB which I would assume would be in a 3-3-5 alignment. I'm not sure if Jr will ever have his hand on the ground. I would assume that may change over the course of Pickett's development as he gets bigger and stronger. I think the thing to take from all of this including his tremendous ratings bump and the way he dominated in the All Star games is that people including our coaching staff have finally realized that this young man is more than just your typical high school LB with huge sack and tfl stats who will need 2 years to adjust to college football. I think they are seeing now that Pickett is a special talent who possesses the type of elite first step, speed, quickness, explosiveness, bend, agility, football IQ, closing burst, instincts and diagnostic skills that could enable him to contribute at a high level much sooner than later.

Appreciate you

FrancisSawyer

Feb 15, 2024

DadeCountyFinest said:
Him, Lightfoot and the transfer from marshall is going to add a pass rushing dynamic not seen since Jaelen Phillips

Alston will most certainly add to that dynamic and I think that Lightfoot is going to make himself known as a true freshman because he's just too good to keep off the field. Booker Pickett Jr. has tremendous ability but he doesn't arrive until summer. I'm a huge fan of Pickett and you can't ever have too many gifted pass rushers but I'm not sure how realistic it is too expect him to contribute right away. I would love to see all of them getting sacks, tfls and wreaking havoc but I think 2025 would be a more realistic time frame for Pickett. He does need more functional strength at this level.

Canesfan1899

Feb 15, 2024

pacusmc said:
Not gonna get my hopes up until they gain some weight.

I agree with you but they are also in the 210 range, add around 20 pounds and they could at least give us a pass rich option on obvious passing downs.

pacusmc

Feb 15, 2024

Canesfan1899 said:
I agree with you but they are also in the 210 range, add around 20 pounds and they could at least give us a pass rich option on obvious passing downs.

For some players that’s easy for some. It’s difficult Wesley’s going on his 3rd year.

Canesfan1899

Feb 15, 2024

pacusmc said:
For some players that’s easy for some. It’s difficult Wesley’s going on his 3rd year.

Wes is also a linebacker. You are right though, Moss couldn’t gain weight for nothing. We will see what happens with them on campus and in a real strength and conditioning program.

Dwinstitles

Feb 15, 2024

FrancisSawyer said:
Alston will most certainly add to that dynamic and I think that Lightfoot is going to make himself known as a true freshman because he's just too good to keep off the field. Booker Pickett Jr. has tremendous ability but he doesn't arrive until summer. I'm a huge fan of Pickett and you can't ever have too many gifted pass rushers but I'm not sure how realistic it is too expect him to contribute right away. I would love to see all of them getting sacks, tfls and wreaking havoc but I think 2025 would be a more realistic time frame for Pickett. He does need more functional strength at this level.

My only thing with Book is will he have that same first step with weight gain. Pause

If he does he will be great

305 MOUNTAIN MAN

Feb 15, 2024

This kid is just a great athlete, he fill find success anywhere you put him. Cream always rises, GO CANES

BostonCanes47

Feb 15, 2024

Not everyone is Bain. Most kids, especially ones with the build of lightfoot and Pickett need a year in the S & C program.

Best to have no expectations, and anything they contribute in 2024 is found money