A.J. Pickens, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound three-star wide receiver from Don Antonio Lugo High School in Chino, Calif., started his senior season with a bang. Pickens had one touchdown on a 96-yard kick return, one interception return for 40 yards and one reception for 40 yards, leading Don Antonio Lugu to a 10-0 victory over Alta Loma.
Pickens has seven scholarships offers and said he now favors Oregon State slightly over Fresno State, Arizona, Washington and Arizona State. "Oregon State is just recruiting me the most," Pickens said. "They send the most mail and email me a lot. They just keep me pumped up about their school.
"The coaches at Oregon State are really cool and are very intense and told me that I'd be able to make a big impact for them," Pickens said. "They like that I'm quick and can catch and said that I'd be a good slot receiver for them."
Pickens attended the Beavers camp during the summer. He hasn't scheduled any official visits yet. "I need to do that soon," he said. "I'm waiting on the NCAA clearing house so that I can set up my visits."
He reports a 2.6 core GPA and took the SAT in June, however, he claims he hasn't gotten his results yet. "I don't know what's up with that," Pickens said. "I don't have them."
Pickens says he'd like to make a decision on a school towards the end of the season. "I don't think I'll go too far away," he said. "I'll talk to my family about it and they'll definitely help me with my decision."
His father, Dwight Pickens, was also a wide receiver and played for Fresno State. "The people there really love football and it's a cool place," he said. "My dad went there, but he's not telling me to go there. My family just wants to make sure that I'll be able to play wherever I go and they'll support my decision."
While Pickens admits that he didn't really have a chance to see too many games last weekend, he admits that he was impressed with Washington's defeat of Syracuse. "They are looking really good right now," he said. "I really like coach Ty Willingham and they played well against Syracuse. Also, I love the community support and tradition they have. Washington is just a great program."