Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders' quarterback, has issued a cease-and-desist letter to LSU, his former university, prohibiting the school from using his name, image, and likeness. The dispute centers on LSU's decision to assign Daniels' former No. 5 jersey to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett.

The letter, sent to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry on August 5, was first reported by ESPN. Daniels addressed the controversy on social media Thursday, stating that his primary focus is on training camp with the Commanders.

"I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I’m proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there," Daniels said in a statement. "Obviously there are issues to be worked out between my team and LSU and my hope is that it will get done privately. My sole personal focus is on Commanders’ football. I realize the business of football is unique and I trust this can all be resolved."

Daniels' family believes his jersey number should have been protected as a part of his legacy at LSU. A spokesperson for the Daniels family told ESPN that they are "deeply disappointed and feel profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player."

The No. 5 jersey has not been worn by another LSU player since Daniels departed for the NFL, though the number was never officially retired by the program. According to ESPN, the cease-and-desist letter indicated that Daniels' NIL agreement with LSU permitted the school to use his name, image, and likeness for 180 days after his final college game.

"Any use of Mr. Daniels’ NIL occurring after LSU’s receipt of this notice will be deemed knowing and willful and will be pursued vigorously through all available legal and equitable remedies, without further notice," the letter stated.

Pickett was issued the No. 5 jersey during LSU's preseason practices last week. When asked about the situation, head coach Lane Kiffin stated that Pickett had been promised the number when he was recruited.

"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," Kiffin said. "It was promised to the kid. It wasn’t done for whatever [reason]. I’m not going to get into that.

"I’m not going to judge something [that was done] when I wasn’t here. But when a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it. So at that point, I don’t think that’s really my decision. We should honor what he was told."