Booker Pickett, Jr. Brings All-Around Skills to Miami
Finding versatile linebackers for the modern college football game can be challenging. More specifically, the size, speed, and length to rush the passer and be impactful in coverage are often the issue.
For the 2024 Miami recruiting class, however, the Canes are doing a tremendous job of gaining commitments from sideline-to-sideline linebackers.
Miami already has Cam Pruitt and Vincent Shavers, two fast and fierce linebackers in the class. Plus, there’s all-around pass rusher and off-ball linebacker Booker Pickett, Jr.
It’s fun to watch this young man play. He brings unique abilities to the field like the ability to sack the quarterback (22 sacks during his sophomore year alone), and he’s working on traditional linebacker skills, too.
The rangy Tampa (Fla.) Wharton prospect did both this past Friday evening, but it's the linebacker skills that stood out. Seeing how Pickett closes on the football – even when it’s a play away from him – is a sign that he can move to a full-time linebacker role.
Whether it would be first down and 10 versus a two-tight end set, or a modern spread offense in a four-wide set, Pickett's speed and length will allow him to stay on the field and be an asset instead of a liability. He's a versatile linebacker that heading down to Coral Gables in the near future.
To that point, Pickett took a few moments to discuss his commitment to the Hurricanes. First up, Pickett’s thoughts on Mario Cristobal.
“He’s a great guy,” Pickett began. “I like the way that he showed me he cared (about me). Plus, it always felt like home when I was over there at the University of Miami.”
As for the football side of things, Cristobal and his staff are held in high regard by Pickett.
“I knew I would get developed by him (Cristobal) if I went there. He’s a great coach overall.”
As for when Pickett knew he would join the Miami football program, he had a quick response to that question as well.
“Probably after the last game that I visited. I just felt like, ‘Yeah, this is where I want to be.’”
Pickett is a laid-back young man off the gridiron. When he straps on the helmet, however, he gets after it. Look for him to end up playing a similar role to what current Hurricanes linebacker Wesley Bissainthe plays.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.