George Pickens Bio
George Malik Pickens Jr. (born March 4, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). A former standout at the University of Georgia, he helped the Bulldogs win the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship before being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In 2025, Pickens was named to the Pro Bowl and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys during the offseason.
Standing roughly 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds, Pickens has built a reputation as a dynamic playmaker with strong hands and an ability to make contested catches. He is widely regarded as one of the more recognizable young receivers in the league.
George Pickens
Early Life and Background
George Malik Pickens Jr. was born in Hoover, Alabama, and grew up in nearby Birmingham. He is the younger brother of Chris Humes, a former cornerback who played college football at Arkansas State and spent time in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders. Humes, who is seven years older, helped guide his younger brother through his early football development.
Pickens attended Hoover High School, where he developed into one of the top wide receiver recruits in the country. As a senior, he recorded 69 receptions for 1,368 yards and 16 touchdowns, including a five-reception, 202-yard performance on November 16, 2018, the highest single-game yardage total of his high school tenure. He graduated from Hoover High School in June 2019.
A five-star recruit, Pickens participated in the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game. He originally committed to Auburn University before flipping his commitment to the University of Georgia, setting the stage for a major college career.
Path to American Football
Pickens made an immediate impact at the University of Georgia. As a true freshman in 2019, he led the team in receptions (49), receiving yards (727), and receiving touchdowns (8), earning significant playing time in a deep Georgia receiving corps.
In 2020, during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pickens caught 36 passes for 513 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns across eight games. He continued to refine his route-running and contested-catch ability as the Bulldogs built toward a championship run.
During the spring of 2021, Pickens tore his ACL, causing him to miss most of his junior season. He returned for the final four games, catching only five passes, but he delivered a crucial 52-yard reception in the first quarter of the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Alabama. The catch set up a short field goal and helped Georgia capture the national title. Pickens declared for the 2022 NFL Draft shortly after.
George Pickens Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected George Pickens in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He made his first professional start in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, catching one pass for three yards in a 23–20 victory. In Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, he produced a one-handed, fully extended grab later called the "Catch of the Year." Pickens scored his first professional touchdown in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins and finished his rookie season with 52 receptions for 801 yards and a team-high four receiving touchdowns.
In 2023, Pickens emerged as one of the league's most explosive downfield threats. He posted 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games, leading the NFL in yards per reception at 18.1. Highlights included a four-catch, 195-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 and a 127-yard game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. His production was occasionally overshadowed by off-field controversies, including social media posts expressing frustration and questions about effort during games.
Pittsburgh Steelers Tenure (2022–2024)
Pickens spent his first three NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he became the team's primary deep threat. In 2024, he was named wide receiver one on the Steelers' depth chart ahead of the regular season. He opened the year with six catches for 85 yards in Week 1 and recorded his first 100-yard performance of the season in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts, finishing with seven receptions for 113 yards.
Later in the 2024 season, Pickens caught a 20-yard leaping touchdown pass from Russell Wilson that drew another "catch of the year" label. He missed Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns with a hamstring injury, the first game he did not play in his career, but returned for the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the 2024 regular season with 58 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. In the Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens, he caught five passes for 87 yards and a touchdown in his final game as a Steeler.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025–Present)
On May 7, 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The move paired Pickens with a new offensive system and quarterback room, giving him an opportunity to serve as a top target in Dallas.
Pickens opened his Cowboys tenure with several strong showings. In Week 2 against the New York Giants, he caught nine passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in a 40–37 overtime win. In Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, he added eight receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns in a 40–40 tie. He posted nine catches for 168 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers and followed with nine receptions for 144 yards and a score in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He added nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown in a Week 12 comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Notable Events and Milestones
During the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickens became a viral meme after watching his selection in a white T-shirt, blue basketball shorts, and a ski mask while seated in his family's living room. He later explained the look was partly humor and partly frustration at not being picked in the first round. Pickens was named to the 2025 Pro Bowl, his first career selection, and finished his college career as a CFP National Champion with the Georgia Bulldogs.
George Pickens Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
George Pickens comes from a football family. His older brother, Chris Humes, played cornerback at Arkansas State and appeared in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, providing an early blueprint for a professional career. After being drafted by the Steelers in 2022, Pickens moved into an apartment in Pittsburgh with Humes, reinforcing the close bond between the two siblings.
Personal Life
Pickens is known for his laid-back personality and distinctive fashion choices, including the frequent use of a ski mask that became a signature look both on and off the field. He has credited his older brother with helping him adjust to life in the NFL during his early seasons.
2025 Season Performance
George Pickens' 2025 season has been defined by his transition to the Dallas Cowboys following the May trade from Pittsburgh. He quickly became one of the team's most reliable offensive weapons, posting multiple 100-yard receiving games and scoring touchdowns in key moments. His production helped stabilize a Cowboys passing attack in search of a true No. 1 receiver.
Standout performances included a two-touchdown game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 and a 168-yard outing against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. He continued to deliver in the closing stretch of the season with 144 receiving yards against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11 and 146 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12, including a touchdown in the comeback win.
Pickens was recognized for his strong first season in Dallas with a 2025 Pro Bowl selection, underscoring his standing among the league's top receivers. Heading into the final stretch of the year, he remains a central figure in the Cowboys' offensive plans and a focal point of their passing game.