FARGO — Jaiden Pickett recently wrapped up an official visit to North Dakota State where he wore jersey No. 0 for his photo shoot. One the of the Bison assistant football coaches saw the number choice and commented:
“You’re Agent Zero,” said Pickett, a rising senior at Riverside University High School in Milwaukee, Wis., who wants to wear that number in college.
Pickett, with his fresh, new nickname, verbally committed to the Bison on Tuesday. He had double-digit NCAA Division I offers. NDSU and Wyoming were his top two choices, before he chose the Bison.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Pickett is projected to play linebacker for NDSU, which has won nine of the past 11 FCS national championships. Bison head coach Matt Entz can't comment on recruits until they sign letters of intent.
“I like how great the coaches are and how tight the team and the organization is as a whole,” Pickett said. “I like how much they win and how when they win a championship, they put it behind them and focus on what’s next. They’re always hungry. They’re a hungry organization and they’re never satisfied. They are going to push you to be the best person you can be on and off the field.”
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Agent 0 reporting in to be a Bison!!!🙏🏾🟢🟡🏈🦬@NDSUfootball @Coach_Entz @PrepRedzoneWI @travisWSN @Evan_Flood @McNamaraRivals @AllenTrieu @MJ_NFLDraft @FBCoachLarson pic.twitter.com/S8gjDiES74
— Pickettron2.0🏈🦍📺🥶 (@Jaipickett31) June 21, 2022
Pickett, who is a three-star recruit according to 247sports, has played multiple defensive roles at Riverside. He’s lined up at defensive end, linebacker and safety during his prep career.
“I was a hybrid,” Pickett said. “They moved me around on defense.”
Pickett said he’s projected to play outside linebacker for the Bison in a role similar to former Bison LBs Jabril Cox and Chris Board, both of whom are in the NFL.
Pickett, who also wrestled two years in high school, plans to graduate early and participate in Bison spring ball in 2023. He’s the fourth known commitment for NDSU’s 2023 recruiting class.
“I feel like it was time and also because I’m graduating early, so I wanted to put my recruiting away and commit somewhere where I feel comfortable," he said.
Pickett added playing Division I football has been a primary goal.
“It’s a very big achievement for me,” Pickett said.
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