Jayden Daniels, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the Washington Commanders, has issued a cease-and-desist letter to his alma mater, LSU, asserting that the university can no longer use his name, image, and likeness. The dispute centers on LSU's decision to allow sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey this season, a number Daniels wore during his highly successful tenure with the Tigers.
Daniels' family expressed deep disappointment and a sense of profound disrespect over the decision. According to a spokesperson, they believed Daniels' number would remain a protected part of his LSU legacy, honoring his significant contributions to the university. The spokesperson stated that Daniels made it clear he did not want his number reassigned, and they expected his wishes to be respected.
Daniels, who transferred to LSU from Arizona State in 2022, won the Heisman Trophy in his final college season in 2023 before being selected second overall in the NFL Draft. The No. 5 jersey has not been worn by an LSU player since Daniels departed, a practice consistent with how the university has honored other Heisman winners like Joe Burrow (No. 9) and Billy Cannon (No. 20).
Pickett, an All-American cornerback who led LSU with three interceptions last season, was pictured wearing the No. 5 during training camp, having previously worn No. 3. The decision to assign Pickett the number was reportedly a promise made during his recruitment in December 2024 by then-coach Lane Kiffin, who stated he had researched the matter and felt obligated to honor the commitment.
"DJ is in [No.] 5, and that was a situation that was promised to him in recruiting here, for him to sign here," Kiffin told ESPN. "I've done a lot of research on that with the family and the representatives and the people, so really I didn't have a decision to make. It was promised to the kid. It wasn't done for whatever [reason]. I'm not going to get into that."
Brian Kelly, the former LSU coach who recruited Pickett, indicated that he had opted not to issue the number while Daniels' situation was unresolved. Kelly stated he wasn't prepared to assign the number without a full commitment from another Heisman Trophy winner and that the university shouldn't differentiate between honorees.
LSU's athletic department policy regarding jersey retirement notes that numbers retired from 2007 onward do not preclude current athletes from wearing them, subject to the head coach's discretion. The policy also stipulates that athletes must have completed competition for five years or demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments, such as winning a Heisman Trophy, to be nominated for jersey retirement.
Daniels' attorney, Adam Kenner, stated in the letter that Daniels' contract with LSU permitted the use of his name, image, and likeness for 180 days after his final college game. The letter demands that LSU immediately cease all use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization, or exploitation of Daniels' NIL. It warns that any future use will be considered knowing and willful, and will be pursued vigorously through legal remedies.
As of this report, LSU has not yet responded to the cease-and-desist letter.