The cease-and-desist letter stems from the school’s decision to allow sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey, which Daniels wore during his two seasons with the Tigers.
Jayden Daniels Issues Cease-and-Desist to LSU Over No. 5 Jersey
The letter was sent on Aug. 5 by Daniels’ attorney, Adam Kenner, to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry. Kenner stated that Daniels’ contract with the university permitted the school to use his NIL for 180 days after his final college game. The attorney demanded that LSU immediately halt any further issue, use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization, or other exploitation of Daniels’ NIL, warning that continued use would be considered knowing and willful and could prompt legal action.
Dispute Over the No. 5 Jersey and Recruiting Promises
Although Daniels’ No. 5 jersey has not been officially retired by LSU, Pickett’s switch to the number marks the first time another player has worn it since Daniels departed for the NFL. Pickett wore No. 3 during his freshman season last year, earning freshman All-American honors while leading the team with three interceptions, 37 tackles, and one sack.
First-year LSU head coach Lane Kiffin explained that Pickett was promised the opportunity to wear No. 5 when he signed with the Tigers in December 2024. At that time, Brian Kelly was coaching the program. Kelly was fired in October 2025, and Kiffin was hired at the end of the regular season.
When a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it.
So at that point, I don’t think it’s really my decision.
We should honor what he was told.
Former coach Brian Kelly told ESPN that he had chosen not to give Pickett the number during his tenure because Daniels was uncomfortable with the move.
Reactions From the Daniels Family
A spokesperson for the Daniels family expressed strong dissatisfaction with the university’s decision, stating that the situation felt like a failure to honor the quarterback’s achievements.
The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player,
the spokesperson said. Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university.
The spokesperson added that Daniels had made it clear he did not want his number given to another player and believed his wishes would be respected.
LSU Jersey History and Policy Context
The controversy also highlights comparisons to how LSU has handled other prominent players, such as former quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow’s No. 9 jersey has not been worn since he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Tigers to a 15-0 season and national championship in 2019.
LSU has officially retired four football jersey numbers:
- Billy Cannon’s No. 20
- Tommy Casanova’s No. 37
- Jerry Stovall’s No. 21
- Charles Alexander’s No. 4
The school also announced plans to retire former quarterback Bert Jones’ No. 7. LSU’s current jersey-retirement policy mandates that an athlete must have completed competition for five years before being considered, and must have demonstrated truly unusual and outstanding accomplishments, such as winning a Heisman Trophy or national player of the year award.
Daniels spent two seasons at LSU after transferring from Arizona State. During his 2023 Heisman campaign, he passed for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the Tigers to a 10-3 record. He was selected No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft and won the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award that season.
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