Spring football in Baton Rouge probably would’ve wrapped up Day 14 or 15 by now. Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers are knee-deep in building what they hope is the SEC’s most battle-ready roster. With Garrett Nussmeier expected to take over the reins at prime passer. The offensive identity is shifting slightly, but LSU’s real juice this offseason might be coming from the other side of the ball. Chemistry is brewing across both units, and while Nussmeier’s arm talent remains the story on offense. It’s his $634,000 NIL-valued skyscraper of a cornerback, turning heads with his rare mix of length and speed.

The defensive backfield, a room that’s long been the pride of LSU’s identity, is undergoing a full-blown renovation. Led by veteran DB whisperer Corey Raymond. Since returning to the Tigers, Raymond has been busy retooling a unit that’s been in desperate need of that old-school “DBU” swagger. The Tigers have brought in high-ceiling talent through both the portal and the 2025 signing class. With two notable signees in Mansoor Delane and Ja’Keem Jackson already flashing upside. But the crown jewel? A 6-foot-4 CB with improved muscle mass, and enough raw speed to press and recover on command. That name—DJ Pickett. A five-star freak who came in with a spotlight and hasn’t flinched under it.

LSU insider Bryce Koon didn’t hold back when discussing Pickett’s early impact. “Biggest storyline heading into LSU spring game this weekend is the development and impact of true freshman cornerback DJ Pickett,” he said on 247Sports’ show. “Why is that? Well, two reasons. Physically, he has looked the part.” Koon noted the corner’s gains in weight and strength, now hovering between 180 and 190 pounds while maintaining elite agility in his towering frame.

Pickett has, reportedly, been consistently competitive in drills—holding his own against veteran receivers, many of whom arrived in Baton Rouge via the portal themselves. “He has made play after play, rarely getting beat,” Koon added, emphasizing the true freshman’s physicality and IQ. With LSU opening against Clemson. Whispers about Pickett potentially starting in that Week 1 heavyweight clash are growing louder by the day. “That’s part of the reason they wanted to get Pickett into the fold,” Koon said. “And with a need at cornerback, Pickett could use this game to launch himself into the conversation of starting that first game against Clemson.”

It’s not just about Pickett’s tools—it’s about timing. With the SEC evolving and LSU poised to break through after a few near-misses. Brian Kelly doesn’t just need bodies—he needs difference-makers. The bigger picture? Painting LSU as a playoff-caliber squad with one giant caveat: the need for perfection. “If they take an L game one, I don’t know if they get over,” another 247Sports analyst said. “Now you gotta be perfect, right?” The Tigers’ margin for error, even in the expanded College Football Playoff, is razor thin.

LSU’s situation to last year’s Tennessee squad—dynamic, dangerous, but vulnerable without a conference crown. “Do I think they’re going to win the SEC Championship? Probably not,” he admitted. “Do I think they can be 10-2, one of those teams in? That’s kind of where I am.” That philosophy mirrors what Kelly himself has hinted at since arriving in Baton Rouge. Playoff berths don’t require conference titles anymore, just timing and health. “I don’t want to go to that game if I’m Brian Kelly,” they joked. “I just want to get into the playoff healthy with my team ready to go, and that’s all I need.” It’s a calculated mindset in a chaotic sport.

The Tigers need a lockdown guy who can erase half the field. And the whispers coming out of camp suggest they might already have him. His DCs have already called him “as good as advertised,” and his mix of length, footwork, and football instincts is making life hell for even the most experienced wideouts.

LSU cornerback room is on the rise

LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker didn’t hold back after Day 10’s session on Thursday when talking about the Tigers’ revamped cornerback room. With a few new faces in town, he’s already liking what he’s seeing. “I think when you talk about those three guys [Mansoor Delane, Ja’Keem Jackson and DJ Pickett] in particular, they’ve been as good as we were hoping they were going to be,” Baker said. “We’re on day nine, ten, I don’t even know what day we’re in. But my point is those guys, from being able to pick up the scheme from an athleticism standpoint…” — yeah, the juice is real.

But there’s one name that keeps popping above the rest: DJ Pickett. The early enrollee has been straight-up electric on the field this spring. After day 10 of practice, Baker doubled down on the hype, saying, “When you look at DJ Pickett from the first three bowl practices to now, he’s a different animal out there.” That’s big-time praise.

And Pickett’s success? It isn’t just natural talent — it’s hard work, too. “Every day I go in the indoor, he’s got the VR on. He works at it. He’s very, very humble. He loves football. He’s very hardworking.” So, Tigers fans, get your popcorn ready. This season is going to be something worth watching!