An attorney representing Washington Commanders quarterback and former LSU star Jayden Daniels has informed LSU that it can no longer use his name, image and likeness.
That’s according to ESPN, which obtained an Aug. 5 letter sent to Tigers athletic director Verge Ausberry.
According to a statement from Daniels’ spokesperson to ESPN, the dispute centers around LSU allowing current sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey that Daniels wore when he became LSU’s third Heisman Trophy winner in 2023.
This would be the first time the number has been worn since Daniels left the program for the NFL.
Pickett wore a No. 3 jersey during his first season with the Tigers in 2025 when he was named a freshman All-American. He was seen wearing the No. 5 jersey when the Tigers opened preseason practice last week, leading to questions about why first-year coach Lane Kiffin had allowed the jersey swap to happen.
Kiffin told reporters on Aug. 5 that Pickett had been promised he could wear No. 5 when he signed with the Tigers in December 2024.
According to ESPN, Former LSU coach Brian Kelly said he believed No. 5 was promised to Pickett during his recruitment, but Kelly chose not to issue it to him because Daniels wasn’t on board with Pickett wearing his number.
Kelly was fired on Oct. 26, 2025, after his teams compiled a 34-14 record in four seasons.
“I just wasn’t prepared to do it until we got a full commitment from another Heisman Trophy winner,” Kelly said. “We didn’t want to issue No. 9, so you can’t treat one differently from the other.”
Sources told ESPN that Daniels believes he is being treated differently than former LSU star Joe Burrow, whose No. 9 jersey hasn’t been worn at LSU since he won the Heisman Trophy and led LSU to a 15-0 record and College Football Playoff national championship in 2019.
Sources told ESPN that LSU hasn’t yet responded to the letter.
READ MORE:Former LSU star Jayden Daniels sends cease-and-desist letter to LSU
