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2025 DJ Pickett 5* CB from Zephyrhills Commits to LSU

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Confidence1000 said:
Let’s bookmark this & see when he’s drafted
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Brethren, @Memnon was correct. He didn’t wow scouts at the combine, & I can tell u unequivocally while an intriguing prospect, even at the Sr Bowl his IQ & physicality was questioned.

He’s the worst type of tweener where he’s not rangy enough to play S at the next level, but not physical enough to play LB at the next level either. Hopefully @gogeta4 remember our back & forth exchange about him when I said he’s Taylor Mays reincarnated as far as stiffness (pause). I was totally wrong, b/c Mays was 10x the player in college than Williams was, & it’s not close.

Though scouts had some ?’s about Mays’ projection at the next level, they still took a chance on him b/c of this:

1. In college he was a 4x All American, including a 3x 1st Team All American from his Sophomore-Senior years.

2. He put on a combine show.

Mays’ combine numbers:
6’2 2/3
230 lbs
4.31 40 yrd dash
1.45 10 yrd split
2.46 20 yrd split
41” vertical
10’4 broad jump
24 reps on bench

Compare that JW20 who not only never made an All American team or an All ACC team, but scouts weren’t wowed by his testing numbers:

JW20 combine results:
6’4
231 lbs
4.65 40 yrd dash
1.59 10 yrd split
30” vertical
9’9 broad jump
N/A on bench

James Williams’ hope is to play in a system similar to what Pete Carroll ran w/ Kam Chancellor. Kam’s testing numbers were similar to his at the combine. Kam’s numbers were slightly better; however, the difference is Kam also played at an All ACC level while at VT. The other difference is Kam tested well on the bench for a DB like Mays showing his wiry strength. Williams should’ve tested on the bench, but I believe there’s a reason he didn’t, b/c it would’ve exposed him further.

If Williams don’t clean up his IQ & physicality I can see him out of the league immediately. He got drafted, so hopefully he’ll take this as an opportunity to challenge to get better & earn his spot.
 
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Confidence1000 said:
Let’s bookmark this & see when he’s drafted
Click to expand...
Now that the 7th round came and went how did that bookmark work out? James was a victim of his own ego. He's a great kid. Thank God now he's learned his versatility is his biggest asset. Cost him many millions on the front end. But he's finally learned. Hopefully now he'll make that work for him.
 
Rellyrell said:
Brethren, @Memnon was correct. He didn’t wow scouts at the combine, & I can tell u unequivocally while an intriguing prospect, even at the Sr Bowl his IQ & physicality was questioned.

He’s the worst type of tweener where he’s not rangy enough to play S at the next level, but not physical enough to play LB at the next level either. Hopefully @gogeta4 remember our back & forth exchange about him when I said he’s Taylor Mays reincarnated as far as stiffness (pause). I was totally wrong, b/c Mays was 10x the player in college than Williams was, & it’s not close.

Though scouts had some ?’s about Mays’ projection at the next level, they still took a chance on him b/c of this:

1. In college he was a 4x All American, including a 3x 1st Team All American from his Sophomore-Senior years.

2. He put on a combine show.

Mays’ combine numbers:
6’2 2/3
230 lbs
4.31 40 yrd dash
1.45 10 yrd split
2.46 20 yrd split
41” vertical
10’4 broad jump
24 reps on bench

Compare that JW20 who not only never made an All American team or an All ACC team, but scouts weren’t wowed by his testing numbers:

JW20 combine results:
6’4
231 lbs
4.65 40 yrd dash
1.59 10 yrd split
30” vertical
9’9 broad jump
N/A on bench

James Williams’ hope is to play in a system similar to what Pete Carroll ran w/ Kam Chancellor. Kam’s testing numbers were similar to his at the combine. Kam’s numbers were slightly better; however, the difference is Kam also played at an All ACC level while at VT. The other difference is Kam tested well on the bench for a DB like Mays showing his wiry strength. Williams should’ve tested on the bench, but I believe there’s a reason he didn’t, b/c it would’ve exposed him further.

If Williams don’t clean up his IQ & physicality I can see him out of the league immediately. He got drafted, so hopefully he’ll take this as an opportunity to challenge to get better & earn his spot.
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Yeah myself I never saw Taylor Mays. And while I wouldn't have been mad about jw playing will, I still say edge is where I would've put him from day 1. The line has a way of making or breaking you. Where his speed & length would've been his greatest asset. He may very well have not been able to adjust to the physicality of it all. But I would've been intrigued. At safety from before he even got here we all said that ain't it for him.
 
Rellyrell said:
Brethren, @Memnon was correct. He didn’t wow scouts at the combine, & I can tell u unequivocally while an intriguing prospect, even at the Sr Bowl his IQ & physicality was questioned.

He’s the worst type of tweener where he’s not rangy enough to play S at the next level, but not physical enough to play LB at the next level either. Hopefully @gogeta4 remember our back & forth exchange about him when I said he’s Taylor Mays reincarnated as far as stiffness (pause). I was totally wrong, b/c Mays was 10x the player in college than Williams was, & it’s not close.

Though scouts had some ?’s about Mays’ projection at the next level, they still took a chance on him b/c of this:

1. In college he was a 4x All American, including a 3x 1st Team All American from his Sophomore-Senior years.

2. He put on a combine show.

Mays’ combine numbers:
6’2 2/3
230 lbs
4.31 40 yrd dash
1.45 10 yrd split
2.46 20 yrd split
41” vertical
10’4 broad jump
24 reps on bench

Compare that JW20 who not only never made an All American team or an All ACC team, but scouts weren’t wowed by his testing numbers:

JW20 combine results:
6’4
231 lbs
4.65 40 yrd dash
1.59 10 yrd split
30” vertical
9’9 broad jump
N/A on bench

James Williams’ hope is to play in a system similar to what Pete Carroll ran w/ Kam Chancellor. Kam’s testing numbers were similar to his at the combine. Kam’s numbers were slightly better; however, the difference is Kam also played at an All ACC level while at VT. The other difference is Kam tested well on the bench for a DB like Mays showing his wiry strength. Williams should’ve tested on the bench, but I believe there’s a reason he didn’t, b/c it would’ve exposed him further.

If Williams don’t clean up his IQ & physicality I can see him out of the league immediately. He got drafted, so hopefully he’ll take this as an opportunity to challenge to get better & earn his spot.
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All facts. He has terrible short area quickness as well as change of direction. You see it alot in games. One play specifically that Benson took to the house at FSU. He had a str8 shot at Benson and didn't even make contact.

Proper coaches need to carve out a role for him. Whether to be a specialist blizter or maybe play deep center. Then again u have to be able to make tackles in the open field 1 v 1.
 
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Brooklyndee said:
Yeah myself I never saw Taylor Mays. And while I wouldn't have been mad about jw playing will, I still say edge is where I would've put him from day 1. The line has a way of making or breaking you. Where his speed & length would've been his greatest asset. He may very well have not been able to adjust to the physicality of it all. But I would've been intrigued. At safety from before he even got here we all said that ain't it for him.
Click to expand...

He was **** bent on playing S. I would’ve been interested to see him in like a STAR role, that hybrid S/LB. At the Sr Bowl, he tried playing LB b/c scouts saw enough film to know that wasn’t it for him, but b/c he had zero experience there, it made him look even worst. Honestly, he’s fortunate to be drafted. Between the bad film, the horrendous penalties & even non taunting penalties he got away w/ + the combine? Bro, it was bad news.

I just hope this is a wake up call, & he puts in the work to get better.
 
Rellyrell said:
He was **** bent on playing S. I would’ve been interested to see him in like a STAR role, that hybrid S/LB. At the Sr Bowl, he tried playing LB b/c scouts saw enough film to know that wasn’t it for him, but b/c he had zero experience there, it made him look even worst. Honestly, he’s fortunate to be drafted. Between the bad film, the horrendous penalties & even non taunting penalties he got away w/ + the combine? Bro, it was bad news.

I just hope this is a wake up call, & he puts in the work to get better.
Click to expand...
I definitely would've preferred a star role over safety. But as I think @Memnon stated, a lack of physicality was one of his biggest issues. I'd like to have seen him in a role where his speed and his length could've been the key to his game. That's why I've always said end was where I wanted him in an ideal world. Imagine physically the person he would be now if he would've embraced from day 1 weights and his meal plans. Would be a whole different discussion for him.
 
Brooklyndee said:
I definitely would've preferred a star role over safety. But as I think @Memnon stated, a lack of physicality was one of his biggest issues. I'd like to have seen him in a role where his speed and his length could've been the key to his game. That's why I've always said end was where I wanted him in an ideal world. Imagine physically the person he would be now if he would've embraced from day 1 weights and his meal plans. Would be a whole different discussion for him.
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Jeavon Kearse vibes
 
Brooklyndee said:
I definitely would've preferred a star role over safety. But as I think @Memnon stated, a lack of physicality was one of his biggest issues. I'd like to have seen him in a role where his speed and his length could've been the key to his game. That's why I've always said end was where I wanted him in an ideal world. Imagine physically the person he would be now if he would've embraced from day 1 weights and his meal plans. Would be a whole different discussion for him.
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So more Joker than Star. I could’ve seen that, as well. But, even looking at a guy like Dallas Turner who was around the same height, but 10 lbs heavier…bro ran a sub 4.5 and had a 40+ inch vertical. I think that could’ve been a much better position for him, but man James’ lack of athleticism & explosiveness kinda leaves him in no man’s land.

Like, I remember some were tryna compare him to Simmons from Clemson, but Simmons was a sub 4.4 guy w/ a 11’0 broad & 39” vertical. ****, I thought maybe he could’ve been a Vic Beasley; nope. Lol Vic was a 4.5 guy w/ a 41” vertical at a heavier weight than Williams.

I dunno what to make of James, but Edge most likely would’ve been his best football position. Still don’t think he would’ve been a 1st or 2nd pick playing there, but he would’ve most likely been a 4th-5th.
 
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Rellyrell said:
Brethren, @Memnon was correct. He didn’t wow scouts at the combine, & I can tell u unequivocally while an intriguing prospect, even at the Sr Bowl his IQ & physicality was questioned.

He’s the worst type of tweener where he’s not rangy enough to play S at the next level, but not physical enough to play LB at the next level either. Hopefully @gogeta4 remember our back & forth exchange about him when I said he’s Taylor Mays reincarnated as far as stiffness (pause). I was totally wrong, b/c Mays was 10x the player in college than Williams was, & it’s not close.

Though scouts had some ?’s about Mays’ projection at the next level, they still took a chance on him b/c of this:

1. In college he was a 4x All American, including a 3x 1st Team All American from his Sophomore-Senior years.

2. He put on a combine show.

Mays’ combine numbers:
6’2 2/3
230 lbs
4.31 40 yrd dash
1.45 10 yrd split
2.46 20 yrd split
41” vertical
10’4 broad jump
24 reps on bench

Compare that JW20 who not only never made an All American team or an All ACC team, but scouts weren’t wowed by his testing numbers:

JW20 combine results:
6’4
231 lbs
4.65 40 yrd dash
1.59 10 yrd split
30” vertical
9’9 broad jump
N/A on bench

James Williams’ hope is to play in a system similar to what Pete Carroll ran w/ Kam Chancellor. Kam’s testing numbers were similar to his at the combine. Kam’s numbers were slightly better; however, the difference is Kam also played at an All ACC level while at VT. The other difference is Kam tested well on the bench for a DB like Mays showing his wiry strength. Williams should’ve tested on the bench, but I believe there’s a reason he didn’t, b/c it would’ve exposed him further.

If Williams don’t clean up his IQ & physicality I can see him out of the league immediately. He got drafted, so hopefully he’ll take this as an opportunity to challenge to get better & earn his spot.
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Good stuff

Kam also developed into one of those most feared players in the league. We will see if JW keeps going that way. People questioned his toughness early on but I thought he played very physical last year outside of some lapses
 
Rellyrell said:
Brethren, @Memnon was correct. He didn’t wow scouts at the combine, & I can tell u unequivocally while an intriguing prospect, even at the Sr Bowl his IQ & physicality was questioned.

He’s the worst type of tweener where he’s not rangy enough to play S at the next level, but not physical enough to play LB at the next level either. Hopefully @gogeta4 remember our back & forth exchange about him when I said he’s Taylor Mays reincarnated as far as stiffness (pause). I was totally wrong, b/c Mays was 10x the player in college than Williams was, & it’s not close.

Though scouts had some ?’s about Mays’ projection at the next level, they still took a chance on him b/c of this:

1. In college he was a 4x All American, including a 3x 1st Team All American from his Sophomore-Senior years.

2. He put on a combine show.

Mays’ combine numbers:
6’2 2/3
230 lbs
4.31 40 yrd dash
1.45 10 yrd split
2.46 20 yrd split
41” vertical
10’4 broad jump
24 reps on bench

Compare that JW20 who not only never made an All American team or an All ACC team, but scouts weren’t wowed by his testing numbers:

JW20 combine results:
6’4
231 lbs
4.65 40 yrd dash
1.59 10 yrd split
30” vertical
9’9 broad jump
N/A on bench

James Williams’ hope is to play in a system similar to what Pete Carroll ran w/ Kam Chancellor. Kam’s testing numbers were similar to his at the combine. Kam’s numbers were slightly better; however, the difference is Kam also played at an All ACC level while at VT. The other difference is Kam tested well on the bench for a DB like Mays showing his wiry strength. Williams should’ve tested on the bench, but I believe there’s a reason he didn’t, b/c it would’ve exposed him further.

If Williams don’t clean up his IQ & physicality I can see him out of the league immediately. He got drafted, so hopefully he’ll take this as an opportunity to challenge to get better & earn his spot.
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Taylor mays was roided up. Lmao. One of my boys was an all American at SC. At the same time as him. Strong *** dude though 😂
 
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Brooklyndee said:
That's literally the name I said on here years ago when he first popped up on our radar. To a tee. Only difference is Jevon was a flat out freak of nature and as country strong as anyone I've ever seen OTHER than Allen Bailey.
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Bro, I remember seeing Bailey in person & I’ve never been so insecure about my arms in my life (& I’m cut up, lol). Bro had tree trunk arms, & was strong as an ox. I truly wonder how he would be today w/ our new facilities aiding him. If we’re impressed w/ Bain’s strength, holy **** Bailey would be on a totally different stratosphere.
 
Brooklyndee said:
That's literally the name I said on here years ago when he first popped up on our radar. To a tee. Only difference is Jevon was a flat out freak of nature and as country strong as anyone I've ever seen OTHER than Allen Bailey.
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I think he meant Jayron the Dallas Cowboy who was once a Miami verbal I believe, or I may be mistaken.
 
Rellyrell said:
So more Joker than Star. I could’ve seen that, as well. But, even looking at a guy like Dallas Turner who was around the same height, but 10 lbs heavier…bro ran a sub 4.5 and had a 40+ inch vertical. I think that could’ve been a much better position for him, but man James’ lack of athleticism & explosiveness kinda leaves him in no man’s land.

Like, I remember some were tryna compare him to Simmons from Clemson, but Simmons was a sub 4.4 guy w/ a 11’0 broad & 39” vertical. ****, I thought maybe he could’ve been a Vic Beasley; nope. Lol Vic was a 4.5 guy w/ a 41” vertical at a heavier weight than Williams.

I dunno what to make of James, but Edge most likely would’ve been his best football position. Still don’t think he would’ve been a 1st or 2nd pick playing there, but he would’ve most likely been a 4th-5th.
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In this years draft Jalyx Hunt was a guy that moved from Safety to EDGE in college. Spent 3 years at safety, then his final 2 as starting DE. Was the same weight as James Williams when he was playing Safety. Then put on like 10+ lbs as playing weight, then another like 10 for the combine which is where teams will want him at min... He's a little more explosive than JW too. Vert jump I wouldn't be too concerned about though JW getting only 30" is weird, would have thought he would have done better. But for EDGE 3cone, Broad jump, and length are key. And JW got the length, and the broad jump is solid. idk about the 3cone and whether he'd be able to bend well with another 10-20lbs of weight, but I can see how this would work. @Brooklyndee Was he ever asked to move to EDGE by this staff, or was that always a conversation about LB? I can see how this would have worked better for him, cause as rellyrell says, he kinda was in too undefined of a hybrid lb/s...
1714359108136.png


and to compare him to a former Cane S transitioned to EDGE in HS.... Only thing is Rousseau was waaay too tall to stay at Safety, whereas JW was just inside that range. Had he been 1 full inch taller he probably would have been forced to move to EDGE before he even finished HS....

1714359409479.png
 
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