George Pickens

Pickens attended Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama. As a senior, he had 69 receptions for 1,368 yards and 16 touchdowns.^[1] He played in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game.^[2] A five star recruit, he originally committed to Auburn University to play college football before changing his commitment to the University of Georgia.^[3][4]

Pickens earned immediate playing time his freshman year at Georgia in 2019, leading the team in receptions (49), receiving yards (727) and receiving touchdowns (8).^[5][6][7] In the following season Pickens caught 36 passes for 513 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns in an eight-game season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[8] In the spring of 2021, Pickens tore his ACL causing him to miss most of his junior season.^[9] He returned to play in the final four games of the year, catching just five passes, but made an important 52-yard reception in Georgia's win over Alabama in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship game.^[10][11] Pickens declared for the 2022 NFL Draft following the season.^[12]

Pickens was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.^[15]

In Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, Pickens corralled a one-handed catch while fully extending his body in the air. It was called by some the "Catch of the Year."^[16] In Week 4, against the New York Jets, he had six receptions for 102 yards in the 24–20 loss.^[17] Pickens scored his first professional touchdown during primetime in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins.^[18] In Week 16, Pickens caught the game-winning touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders with less than a minute remaining.^[19] He finished the 2022 season with 52 receptions for 801 yards and a team-high four receiving touchdowns.^[20][21]

In Week 2 of the 2023 season, Pickens had four receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Browns.^[22] In Week 5, agains the Ravens, he had six receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown in the 17–10 win.^[23] In Week 16 against the Bengals, he had four receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns, including a 86-yard reception for a score in the first quarter.^[24] In the following game, against the Seahawks, he had seven receptions for 131 yards in the win.^[25] He finished his second NFL season with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games and 16 starts.^[26]

• Pittsburgh Steelers bio
• Georgia Bulldogs bio