When you think of a college football highlight, you’re usually picturing a one-handed snag in the end zone or a massive hit on a third-down conversion. But for Larry Pickett Jr., his most important play didn't happen under the bright lights of Michie Stadium. It happened on a dark, terrifying stretch of Route 9W in Fort Montgomery.
Honestly, the larry pickett army football story is one of those rare moments where the "service" part of a service academy becomes incredibly literal. Most people know him as the sophomore safety for the Army West Point Black Knights, but after Labor Day weekend in 2025, he became something else entirely.
He became a lifesaver.
What Actually Happened on Route 9W?
It was just after midnight. Pickett had played his first-ever collegiate game on Friday night—a heartbreaking overtime loss to Tarleton State where he recorded his first career tackle on kickoff coverage. He was heading back to West Point with his family after a dinner in Times Square.
Then things got real.
They came across a white sedan that had slammed into a utility pole about four miles from campus. It wasn't just a fender bender. The car was mangled, sparks were flying from downed power lines, and smoke was starting to billow from the engine. While others might have pulled over and just called 911, Pickett and his father, Larry Pickett Sr., didn't wait.
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"We knew that car was about to catch on fire," Pickett later told reporters. He wasn't exaggerating. Seconds after they pulled the unconscious driver through the window and dragged him across four lanes of highway, the car turned into a fireball.
The Training That Kicked In
People always ask if the military training at West Point actually matters for a 20-year-old kid. In this case, it was the difference between life and death. Pickett Jr. later mentioned that his "military training kicked in." He didn't overthink the danger of the live wires or the popping sounds coming from the car. He just moved.
His sister, Lauren, caught the whole thing on video. You can hear the urgency in the clip—the raw fear and the sound of the crash site. It’s haunting.
Larry Pickett Jr.: More Than a Special Teams Ace
Before this rescue went viral, Pickett was mostly known within the locker room as a hardworking scout team player who had finally earned his way onto the varsity roster. He wears number 22 (and sometimes 23, depending on the roster update) and stands about 6'1", weighing in at 195 pounds.
He’s a Raleigh, North Carolina native. He played at Enloe High School and spent time at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) before making it to the big house at West Point.
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- Year: Junior (Class of 2028)
- Position: Safety
- Major: Systems & Decision Sciences
- Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
He’s the kind of player coach Jeff Monken loves. He’s disciplined. He’s quiet. He does the "dirty work" on special teams without complaining. But after that Sunday morning, everyone from the Secretary of the Army to the guys on College GameDay knew his name.
The Viral Moment and E-E-A-T
When the video hit social media, it wasn't just a local news story. It was everywhere. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll publicly commended him, stating that Pickett embodies the values of duty, honor, and country.
But what’s interesting is Pickett’s own reaction. He didn't want the spotlight. When he showed up for practice on Sunday, he didn't even mention it to some of his teammates until the video started blowing up on their phones.
"I thought it was a small thing," Pickett said.
That’s the hallmark of the Army football culture. It's not about the "me," it's about the mission. Whether that mission is stopping a run play or pulling a stranger out of a burning car, the mindset remains the same.
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Is he still playing?
Yeah, he’s still a key part of the Black Knights' defensive secondary and special teams units. While his stat sheet might not show 100 tackles yet, his "Skill Worker of the Week" honors and his presence in the EA Sports College Football 26 video game show that he’s a respected piece of the puzzle at West Point.
The Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're following larry pickett army football, don't just look at the box scores. This is a guy who represents the bridge between being an athlete and being a future officer in the United States Army.
If you want to support or follow his journey:
- Watch the Special Teams: Keep an eye on number 22 during kickoffs; that’s where Pickett makes his bones.
- Follow the Black Knights: Army’s schedule is grueling, and players like Pickett are the backbone of their depth.
- Understand the "Service" in Service Academy: This story is a reminder that these athletes are training for much higher stakes than a bowl game.
Larry Pickett Jr. didn't ask to be a hero. He just happened to be the right person, with the right training, at a very wrong time. And that’s why his name is going to be remembered at West Point long after his final snap.
Next Steps for Readers:
To truly understand the culture that produces players like Pickett, you should look into the Army-Navy rivalry’s history of "off-field" heroism. You can also track Pickett’s current season progress through the official Army West Point Athletics site to see how his defensive role continues to evolve as he moves into his junior and senior years.