Two former Bulldogs are showing that the road from Zephyrhills can lead to the bright lights of college football.
Jakobe Campbell and D.J. Pickett, both products of Zephyrhills High School and the ZAL youth football organization, are beginning their college careers on different stages but carrying the same hometown pride with them.
Campbell, a defensive back, is suiting up at New Mexico State where he is getting time in the defensive backfield and already has an interception for the Aggies this season. After appearing in four games last fall, mostly on special teams, Campbell preserved his redshirt to keep a full four years of eligibility. Coaches see him as a player on the rise, building off the toughness and ball skills he showcased at Zephyrhills, where he tallied 67 tackles and six interceptions over three varsity seasons.
Pickett, meanwhile, is already turning heads at LSU. The five-star recruit and consensus No. 1 cornerback in the nation was a highlight machine for the Bulldogs, piling up 94 tackles and 10 interceptions on defense while doubling as a star receiver with more than 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns. Now, just months into his freshman year in Baton Rouge, Pickett has seen plenty of playing time for the Tigers and notched an interception Saturday in the Tigers 20-10 win over the Florida Gators, proving his talent translates to the SEC stage.
For Zephyrhills fans, seeing two familiar names on college rosters is more than just bragging rights. It’s a reminder of the program’s growth and the pipeline of talent making noise beyond Pasco County.
From Campbell working to earn his shot with the Aggies to Pickett chasing stardom with the Tigers, both players carry with them the lessons learned on the football fields in Zephyrhills — discipline, resilience, and a community that’s cheering them on every Saturday.