Ohio State Secures Official Visit From 4-Star EDGE Booker Pickett Jr.

Following slightly in the footsteps of his uncle, Booker Pickett Jr. has given the Ohio State Buckeyes a lot of consideration throughout his recruitment process.

Author:
Matt Guzman
May 27, 2023 1:45 PM EDT

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Ohio State Buckeyes

Armed with the No. 3 overall recruiting class for 2024, the Ohio State Buckeyes may be set to add another top talent to their squad.

Four-star 2024 EDGE Booker Pickett Jr. has been eyeing the Buckeyes for a while, but now has an official visit in the works. Ohio State joins Florida State, Georgia and Miami for teams in contention.

Perhaps one of the big reasons for his interest in Ohio State is his legacy, as his uncle played for the Buckeyes, though that same reason about his father is likely why he's also expressed interest in Miami.

Booker Pickett, a linebacker for the Miami Hurricanes, didn't quite leave his mark the way that his brother, Ryan, did both at the college and professional level.

By the end of his 14-year career, Ryan Pickett went on to become a Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers in 2011, even helping to force a fumble that aided the Packers during their winning effort.

Pickett Jr. now sits behind his father and his uncle, looking to make an even larger impact in college and in the pros, which he's already proven to be capable of.

Last season for Wharton High School, Pickett Jr. tallied 56 tackles and 30 sacks throughout the year, which has earned him a four-star recruiting rating according to 247Sports.

And it's safe to say the site likes what it sees from the young edge as well.

"[Pickett Jr.] terrorizes opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks with an elite first step," 247Sports wrote. "However, [he] isn’t one that just wins with his get-off, as he’s already well-versed in a few different pass rushing moves and can swim or rip his way around the edge.

"[He has the] ability to dip and bend, which is extremely encouraging at this stage in his development. So is the fact that he understands backside pursuit and is constantly trying to produce negative plays ... [he] should be viewed as one of the top pass rushers in the 2024 cycle, and has the production to back that up with an NFL upside."

With a legacy in front of him both at Miami and Ohio State, Pickett Jr. has a lot to think about regarding his college decision. The Buckeyes are certainly in contention, but will undoubtedly be looking to help their case during the edge rusher's official visit.

And if Pickett Jr. decides to make Columbus his home, the Buckeyes could absolutely use another elite pass-rusher.