"Feed him Gumbo, with rice!": LSU fans react after spotting 5-star signee DJ Pickett at Bowl Game vs Baylor

LSU five-star signee DJ Pickett was spotted in NRG Stadium for the Tigers’ Texas Bowl matchup with the Baylor Bears on Dec. 31. A clip of him wearing an LSU jersey in the stadium was posted on Instagram, attracting reactions from fans, especially about his body size.

A netizen, Cajabilly_kev, suggested a diet plan to help the five-star cornerback gain some body mass. They wrote,

“Feed him Gumbo, with rice.”

Another netizen, Andylafon27, while echoing the concern about Pickett’s small size, was specific about the type of body mass he should add. They wrote,

“Better put some muscles on that kid. Can’t play football weighing 150.”

The concern over Pickett’s muscle was expressed by an Instagram user, Jonathan_burris, who wrote,

“He needs to add muscle over the summer.”

However, another Instagram user, Weezyfrager, tried to ease the tension about the Zephyrhills High School (FL) product’s size. They wrote,

“Mans literally ain’t even graduated high school yet. Yall act like he don’t have an entire summer to gain weight.”

Amidst the concerns, a fan, Neverfold120, saw a similarity in Pickett’s physical build and that of NFL cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. They wrote,

“Bro built like Emmanuel Forbes.”

Reactions to DJ Pickett's appearance at the Texas Bowl

Who is DJ Pickett?

DJ Pickett is a 6-ft-4, 179-pound cornerback from Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Florida. Many top programs lined up to recruit him, with his college offers numbering up to at least 40, according to 247Sports. The Tigers beat national powerhouses including Oregon, Miami, and Georgia to sign the elite prospect.

Following his signing on National Signing Day, he participated in practice with the team ahead of the Texas Bowl. Following the flipping of Bryce Underwood by Michigan, DJ Pickett became the highest-ranked signing in the LSU 2025 recruiting class.

He is projected to compete as a starter from next season as a true freshman. He is equipped with adequate skills to break into the Tigers’ starting lineup immediately, especially with the departure of cornerback Zy Alexander. Alexander, who just concluded his last year of college eligibility, would leave a space in LSU’s cornerback room that Pickett is expected to fill.

The Tigers will hope to have a better campaign next season after a 9-4 overall record and a seventh-place finish in the SEC this season. Brian Kelly has ended each of his first three seasons at the program with a bowl win. However, more will be expected of him going into his fourth full season in charge of the Tigers.