Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Jayden Daniels sends cease-and-desist to LSU over No. 5 jersey
Jayden Daniels is a famous football player who used to play for the LSU Tigers in college.
He won a big prize called the Heisman Trophy and wore the number 5 on his jersey.
Now he plays in the NFL for the Washington Commanders.
LSU gave his old number, 5, to another player named DJ Pickett.
Jayden was not happy about that.
His team sent LSU a special letter, called a cease-and-desist letter, saying the school cannot use his name, picture, or story anymore.
The coach at LSU, Lane Kiffin, said the school must keep a promise it made to DJ Pickett when he joined.
So LSU has to decide between pleasing the old star player and keeping its promise to the new player.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU over the No. 5 jersey.
The letter, sent to athletic director Verge Ausberry, bars LSU from using Daniels' name, image, and likeness; ESPN obtained a copy.
Cornerback DJ Pickett, who wore No. 3 as a freshman with three interceptions, is switching to No. 5 for the upcoming season.
Daniels' spokesperson said he made clear he did not want his number given to another player and called the move 'incredibly disappointing.'
Head coach Lane Kiffin said on August 5 he will honor the recruiting promise made to Pickett in December 2024 by then-coach Brian Kelly.
- Who
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, sent the letter to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry; LSU cornerback DJ Pickett and head coach Lane Kiffin are central to the dispute.
- What
- A cease-and-desist letter objecting to LSU giving Daniels' No. 5 jersey to DJ Pickett and halting LSU's use of Daniels' name, image, and likeness.
- When
- The letter was sent recently; head coach Lane Kiffin addressed the jersey switch in an August 5 media session.
- Where
- Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Why
- Daniels said he did not want his number given to another player and felt his Heisman-winning legacy was not honored; LSU is keeping a recruiting promise made to Pickett.
Respect the Alumni Star
Honor the Recruiting Promise
Keeping the No. 5 jersey
Respect the Alumni Star
Daniels made clear he did not want his number given to another player and expected his wishes to be respected after a Heisman-winning career that cemented his place in LSU history.
Honor the Recruiting Promise
Pickett was promised No. 5 when he signed in December 2024, and Kiffin says a promise to a recruit should be honored; Kiffin says it was not really his decision.
Legacy vs. recruiting commitment
Respect the Alumni Star
Giving the number to another player feels like a failure to honor the significance of everything Daniels accomplished on and off the field at LSU.
Honor the Recruiting Promise
Keeping faith with a high-profile recruit matters for the program's integrity; the switch is about honoring what Pickett was told when he committed.
- Quarterback
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
- Heisman Trophy
- 2023 winner
- Jersey number in dispute
- No. 5
- Player receiving No. 5
- DJ Pickett (cornerback, 6-foot-5)
- Letter recipient
- LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry
- Recruiting promise
- Made in December 2024 by then-coach Brian Kelly
- Coaching changes
- Brian Kelly fired in October 2025; Lane Kiffin is now head coach
- Pickett's freshman season
- Wore No. 3; recorded three interceptions