LSU Football adds two five-star prospects during crucial recruiting phase

The LSU Tigers are on a recruiting spree after landing two five-star prospects in DJ Pickett and Derek Meadows during a pivotal period in “The Trail.”

Brian Kelly and co. continue to perform very well after lifting the 2025 class to third place in the overall standings with these key additions.

With Pickett and Meadows in the mix, LSU now has commitments from a quartet of five-star prospects with Bryce Underwood (No. 1 QB) and Harlem Berry (No. 1 RB) also headlining the class.

A look at the recent additions and what they could offer the Tigers going forward:

DJ Pickett: No. 1 CB in America

Brian Kelly and the LSU staff received a commitment from America’s best cornerback when DJ Pickett announced his pledge to the Bayou Bengals on Wednesday.

Pickett, the highest-ranked defenseman in the 2025 cycle, gives secondary coach Corey Raymond his first major commitment since returning to Baton Rouge in January.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound player adds a new element to the defense in Death Valley, where he will join one of the top five recruiting classes in 2025.

Led by Bryce Underwood, Pickett became the third five-star in the 2025 class, joining Underwood (No. 1 QB) and Harlem Berry (No. 1 RB).

The Sunshine State native’s verbal commitment propels LSU’s 2025 class to No. 3 in America, while the Tigers battle for the top spot.

Pickett is a player who can play like a Swiss Army knife in the defensive backfield. He can play as a safety or as a cornerback.

For Raymond, Pickett is his prototypical recruit. A tall, lean corner with the ability to go from touchline to touchline in the blink of an eye, it’s a match made in heaven.

“The deciding factor was that he was happy,” Pickett’s father Damien said. “Where he’s happy on and off the field. Where he can grow as a young man. It was mainly based on football, but also where he feels like he can excel in the classroom and do the things in the classroom.”

Now he’s headed to Baton Rouge, where LSU beat him out for his services in a tense recruiting process.

Derek Meadows: Five-star wide receiver

Meadows, Nevada’s top-rated prospect, revealed his commitment to Kelly and Co. to Notre Dame, Alabama and Michigan, among others.

Meadows, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound player, has risen significantly in the recruiting rankings and is a player the Tigers view as a top priority for the 2025 cycle.

With his impressive physical attributes and ball skills that have proven to be astonishing, Meadows is a sought-after player on “The Trail” and is ranked among the top 10 wideouts in America.

According to 247Sports, he is seen as the sixth wide receiver in the 2025 cycle.

“From day 1, those coaches believed in me and coach Hankton is a great coach that I know will get the best out of me,” Meadows told 247Sports. “It’s all about development with him and I know he’s going to coach me as well as anyone. He believes in me and my abilities, and I have confidence and belief in him as a coach, so I know we’re going to work well together. The official visit was really important to me. The coaches treat everyone like family. I know that’s the environment I want to be in. Playing in the SEC will mean a lot and I know I’m going to keep pushing to compete with the best.”

Meadows officially visited Baton Rouge this summer after spending a weekend in June checking out Brian Kelly’s program.

He’s made a few other visits since then, but LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton certainly did his duty in this game.

Meadows was originally scheduled to make his decision on July 13, but he postponed his decision due to several factors. Now he is a Tiger after taking his time and weighing his options.

LSU stepped on the gas in this game. With Notre Dame the presumptive favorite during much of Meadows’ recruiting process, the Bayou Bengals stepped it up a notch this summer.

After their official visit in June, the stars began to align for Kelly and the LSU staff as the Tigers began to differentiate themselves from the rest.

In what ultimately became a battle between LSU and Notre Dame, Kelly’s team once again showed their magic by delivering their second five-star performance of the week.

Meadows joins five-star DJ Pickett (No. 1 CB), Bryce Underwood (No. 1 QB) and Harlem Berry (No. 1 RB) as the four LSU players with five-star status.

LSU Football signs five-star cornerback DJ Pickett, America’s #1 CB

LSU Baseball Flips Prized Pitcher, Texas A&M Commit Cooper Williams

SEC Media Days Notebook: Brian Kelly, LSU targets growth in 2024

Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Land: @LSUCountry_FN for all coverage of the LSU program.