Jayden Daniels is taking issue with LSU's decision to give his No. 5 jersey to cornerback DJ Pickett. An attorney representing the Washington Commanders quarterback sent LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry a cease-and-desist letter on Aug. 5, informing the school that it is no longer authorized to use Daniels' name, image and likeness, according to a copy of the letter obtained by ESPN.
CBS Sports reached out to Daniels' attorney, Adam Kenner, for comment Thursday, but had not received a response.
The letter, according to ESPN, cites Daniels' LSU NIL agreement, which allowed the school to use his name, image and likeness for 180 days after his final college game. Kenner wrote that LSU must "immediately cease and desist" from any further use or exploitation of Daniels' NIL.
Healthy again, LSU QB Sam Leavitt embraces Louisiana life as he prepares for 2026 opener Cody Nagel
Daniels' representatives said the former LSU quarterback and his family believed No. 5 would remain part of his legacy after he became the third Heisman Trophy winner in school history in 2023.
"The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player," a spokesperson for the Daniels family told ESPN. "Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university."
Daniels' No. 5 had not been worn by another LSU player since his departure for the NFL. The number, however, has never officially been retired.
Pickett wore No. 3 as a freshman last season, when he earned freshman All-American honors after recording three interceptions. LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Aug. 5 that Pickett had been promised No. 5 during his recruitment under former coach Brian Kelly.
"When a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it," Kiffin said.
Kelly confirmed to ESPN that Pickett had been promised the number but said he chose not to give it to him while Daniels was at LSU because he did not want to issue No. 5 without Daniels' approval. Kelly also pointed to LSU's treatment of Joe Burrow's No. 9, which has not been worn since Burrow's Heisman Trophy-winning 2019 season.
Daniels transferred to LSU from Arizona State and had one of the most productive seasons in school history in 2023, passing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. He won the Heisman Trophy before becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Add CBS Sports on Google Join the Conversation comments
