Jayden Daniels Addresses LSU Dispute Over His No. 5 Jersey

Washington Commanders quarterback and former LSU star Jayden Daniels says there are unresolved issues between his representatives and LSU after the university assigned his former No. 5 jersey to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett.

Daniels addressed the dispute in an Instagram post, saying he remains grateful for his time at LSU while acknowledging that “there are issues to be worked out” between his personal team and the university. He added that “my hope is that it will get done privately” and said, “I realize the business of football is unique and I trust this can all be resolved.”

The dispute followed a cease and desist letter sent to LSU by Daniels’ attorney. According to ESPN, the letter demanded that the university “must immediately cease and desist from any further issue use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization, or other exploitation” of Daniels’ name, image or likeness.

LSU never formally retired the No. 5 jersey, which Daniels wore during his outstanding 2023 season. That year, he won the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while helping establish himself as one of college football’s top players.

The university subsequently gave No. 5 to Pickett, a sophomore cornerback and former five-star recruit. Pickett said Thursday that the number had been “promised” to him and expressed his best wishes to Daniels. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, entering his first season with the Tigers, previously said that Pickett had been promised the number during his recruitment.

Daniels’ representatives have also sought the return of LSU’s copy of his Heisman Trophy, according to LouisianaSports.net. The report said LSU does not intend to return the trophy and remains undecided about how extensively it will respond to the cease and desist letter, noting that such a letter is not itself legally binding.

The jersey dispute has also prompted debate among former LSU players. Breiden Fehoko, a member of LSU’s 2019 national championship team, said he meant no disrespect to Daniels but argued that Daniels was “not on the same level as Joey B,” referring to former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

Burrow won the Heisman in 2019 while leading LSU to a perfect 15-0 season and a national championship over Clemson, a campaign widely regarded as one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history. His No. 9 jersey has not been formally retired, but LSU has not given the number to another player since Burrow left the program, according to WAFB-TV.

Former LSU player and sports commentator Ryan Clark defended Daniels and criticized comparisons between the two quarterbacks. Clark said such comparisons were inaccurate and argued that the issue was about “respecting and honoring a young man who brought the program its third Heisman Trophy and represented LSU with distinction.”

LSU’s jersey retirement rules require an honoree to have been out of college competition for at least five years and to have achieved a distinction such as winning the Heisman Trophy or National Player of the Year award. The policy also states that jersey retirement does not necessarily prevent another student-athlete from wearing the number, with the decision ultimately left to the head coach.

LSU has formally retired the jerseys of four former players and plans to retire former quarterback Bert Jones’ No. 7 jersey in November. Daniels is not yet eligible to apply for jersey retirement under the school’s rules, although his accomplishments could give him a strong case once he becomes eligible.

Beyond his 2023 Heisman victory, Daniels won the Walter Camp Player of the Year award and the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. He also established the NCAA Division I FBS single-season passer rating record with a 208 rating, supported by 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdown passes and a 72.2% completion rate.

A spokesperson for Daniels told ESPN that the quarterback’s family was “deeply disappointed” and felt “profoundly disrespected” by LSU’s decision. The spokesperson said the family had believed Daniels’ number would remain an important part of his LSU legacy and would be preserved in recognition of his contributions to the university.

The cease and desist letter also threatened legal action against LSU if the university continued using Daniels’ name, image or likeness.