Feature Photo by Duke University

It’s not just about the football. Joshua Pickett, a Habersham Central 2021 grad, has quickly inserted himself into the starting lineup at Duke University. He’s making an impact on the field, but also off the field.

As for the football side of things, the athlete who once shined for the Raiders on both sides of the ball continues to do so at the Power 5 level. It didn’t come automatically, but he has a high IQ for the game and a relentless motor that led him to being able to adjust.

“For me, I’ve always been able to adjust in different situations, which I’m really thankful for,” says Pickett. “Just listening to different coaching and really just honing in on the different details, the small details that my coaches have taught me. With the different changes, like having two different coaches, both expecting different things, just being able to adjust to that has been a big impact in helping me be in the position that I am today.”

That position is a starting CB for the Blue Devils. Last season he became the starter and rewarded Duke with a stat line that includes 41 tackles (1 for loss), a sack, and 7 passes deflected. That came after a 2021 season in which Pickett recorded 5 tackles across 10 games played. So far, he’s had a lot of opportunity to make some memories on Saturdays in Durham.

“My favorite moment? It’s a lot of moments,” says Pickett. “A big one was the Kansas game when I got a sack on the QB. It was the first time he’d ever been sacked, and I don’t know if he ever got sacked again the rest of the year. That was a big moment for me. Also the different things I’ve been able to experience with my teammates like fun events. Those small little moments, the moments in the locker room together, those play a big role in making us a team and making us who we are as a family.”

Pickett’s love for Duke isn’t just on the gridiron or with his teammates though.

“The campus, the community of people…it’s a wide, diverse variety of people on campus,” adds Pickett. “You’re not going to just get a certain group of people. Being able to see those different people and conversate with the is one of my favorite aspects on campus.”

On the field, Pickett has long been driven by the players around him, including the athletes on his own team.

“Competition really fuels the whole group,” states Pickett. “We all want to work, we all want to see the team succeed. We’re all pushing each other. Not just defensive guys pushing defensive guys, it’s defensive guys pushing offensive guys, offense pushing defense. With the guys we had come in, some being older guys that were in other programs, they’ve really seen it all. That’s really helped to push that culture and push that competition with their mindsets, which really fuels all of us to push ourselves every day.”

The goals for this Duke team are lofty after a 9-4 season that including going 5-3 in the ACC and winning their Military Bowl game 30-13 over UCF.

“We all want an ACC Championship,” exclaims Pickett. “That’s for sure, that’s definitely the goal. Putting our best foot forward. We have a lot of guys returning, and I’m so thankful to see those guys back. Our big goal this year is to get to the ACC Championship, get to Charlotte, win that game, and show the country who Duke football is.”

Along the way to achieving those goals, Pickett continues to make sure that he maintains that high level of expectation within and outside the lines. He’s been named an Academic All-ACC and CSC Academic All-District honoree, and was awarded teh team’s Mike Suglia Award, which is presented to a second-year Duke player with high character.

“I just try to put my best foot forward every time,” says Pickett. “My parents have always told me if you want it, you got to go out and get it. They’ve always pushed me and been behind me and they’ve always been a big support. That’s why I really take pride in both sides of it. I think it’s important to be an all-around person, on the field and off the field. There’s a switch that I have on the field, and then there’s a switch that I have off the field. I think that’s a big influence on me, taking pride in my on-the-field and off-the-field performance.”

Pickett is a Public Policy major, pursing a certificate in markets and management, and was a 3-star recruit for Habersham Central (#85 overall player in Georgia). He was the Region 8-AAAAAA Two-Way Player of the Year, and an All-State honoree by the AJC.