South Carolina Football: Gamecocks included in final group for 4-star sack machine

Earlier this week, South Carolina football received a commitment from 5-star EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart, one of the top players in the class of 2024. With the need for more defensive ends on the roster, the Gamecocks are expected to take more than just Stewart this cycle at the position.

4-star EDGE/TE prospect KingJoseph Edwards is one of the known targets left on the Carolina recruiting board, and he has put the Gamecocks in his official top-8.

On Friday, another big-time pass rusher included South Carolina football in the final group of schools that he is considering.

https://twitter.com/pickett_booker/status/1687493909595684864?s=20

4-star Tampa, Florida native Booker Pickett, Jr. of Wharton High School announced a top-5 of South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio State, Miami, and Florida State.

As a high school player, Pickett has been very good at getting after the quarterback, amassing a whopping 60 sacks, including 30 during his junior season in 2022. He is an athletic freak and has plus length for his 6’3″ height, indicating he could get taller and longer.

The biggest knock on Pickett is his weight. At 6’3″, he is under 210 pounds. That is too thin to play defensive end right now, and he even would still need to gain weight to play linebacker effectively.

However, Pickett has good bloodlines that indicate he will be able to gain the needed weight. His father, Booker Pickett, Sr. played defensive end at Miami in the early ’90s, while his uncle Ryan Pickett played defensive tackle at Ohio State in the late ’90s and was a 1st-round pick in the NFL.

It was reported earlier this week by Fisher Brewer of Gamecock Digest (SportsIllustrated) that Pickett plans to take an official visit to Columbia to check out the South Carolina football facilities for the first time. He is believed to be coming into town during a game weekend.

You can watch some of his film here.