D.J. Palmore played for a very strong football program at Christian Brothers High in Tennessee. The all-male Catholic school is a perennial powerhouse in the greater Memphis area and annually produces numerous Division I prospects.
Palmore was named first team All-State and was selected to play in the Liberty Bowl All-Star game as a senior. A tight end and defensive end at Christian Brothers, Palmore was recruited by hometown Memphis, but never offered a scholarship. He wound up choosing Navy just prior to National Signing Day after also considering Air Force, Wofford and Tennessee-Martin.