LSU's DJ Pickett Named Freshman All-America; Finalist For National Freshman Defensive POY

BATON ROUGE – DJ Pickett, one of the most impactful true freshmen in college football in 2025, has been named to the 2025 Freshman All-America Team as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the FWAA Freshman All-America Team. It was first named in 2001 and LSU has had 16 players, including six defensive backs, named to the team since its inception.

Pickett, who just completed his true freshman season with the Tigers, is also one of three finalists for the FWAA’s National Defensive Freshman of the Year. He’s joined on the list of finalists by Georgia defensive back Ellis Robinson and Oregon defensive back Brandon Finney. The FWAA National Defensive Freshman of the Year will be announced on Thursday.

Pickett, a Freshman All-SEC selection, appeared in all 13 games, starting three times, and tallied 37 tackles, two sacks and tied for team-high honors with three interceptions. His interceptions came against Florida, Oklahoma and Western Kentucky.

He added a pair of pass breakups and a quarterback hurry for an LSU defense that led the SEC in interceptions (17) and ranked No. 3 in pass efficiency. LSU was the only defense in the league to have more interceptions than touchdown passes allowed (14).

In 303 pass coverage snaps, Pickett allowed only 21 receptions and three touchdowns. The 21 receptions allowed accounted for only 248 total yards.

LSU’s FWAA Freshman All-Americas (selected since 2001)

Year Player Position

2001 Andrew Whitworth OL
2002 Justin Vincent RB
2002 LaRon Landry DB
2006 Ciron Black OL
2010 Tyrann Mathieu DB
2011 Brad Wing P
2014 Leonard Fournette AP
2015 Will Clapp OL
2017 Greedy Williams DB
2019 Derek Stingley DB
2020 Kayshon Boutte WR
2020 Eli Ricks DB
2021 Maason Smith DL
2022 Will Campbell OL
2022 Harold Perkins LB
2025 DJ Pickett DB

(Release via LSU Athletics)