Jayden Daniels Feels “Profoundly Disrespected” After LSU Gives His No. 5 Jersey to DJ Pickett, Sends Cease-and-Desist

Jayden Daniels has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Louisiana State University, stating that the institution can no longer use his name, image, and likeness.

Jayden Daniels Feels “Profoundly Disrespected” After LSU Gives His No. 5 Jersey to DJ Pickett, Sends Cease-and-Desist

Jayden Daniels (Image via IMAGO)

Jayden Daniels reportedly is not happy with his alma mater, the LSU Tigers. Daniels’ camp sent a cease-and-desist letter to Louisiana State University, stating that the institution can no longer use his name, image, and likeness.

Daniels starred for the SEC program during the 2022 and 2023 college football seasons. During his final season, Daniels won the Heisman Trophy—awarded to the best college football player.

Daniels wore the No. 5 jersey at LSU, which the program recently assigned to cornerback DJ Pickett. Jayden Daniels did not appreciate the move.

According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, the Daniels camp wrote a letter to the LSU athletics director Verge Ausberry. The Daniels camp wrote in the letter, per Schlabach.

The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player [DJ Pickett]. Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honoured and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university.

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Jayden Daniels does not want anyone else to wear his No. 5 LSU jersey

In the letter, the Daniels camp made it very clear that they don’t want anyone else wearing the No. 5 jersey. Daniels reportedly feels that he is being treated differently than LSU’s fellow high-profile LSU alum Joe Burrow. Burrow wore No. 9 at LSU when he delivered an unbeaten season (2019) and the national championship crown. Burrow also won the Heisman Trophy that year.

Jayden Daniels Feels “Profoundly Disrespected” After LSU Gives His No. 5 Jersey to DJ Pickett, Sends Cease-and-Desist
Jayden Daniels was drafted by the Washington Commanders (Image via IMAGO)

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin told the media that the school was only honoring Pickett’s request to wear No. 5. Kiffin said:

When a kid’s promised something to come to a school, he should wear it.

Daniels started his college career with the Arizona State Sun Devils. After three years, he transferred to LSU. Daniels recorded a 19-7 record with the Tigers. In 2023, he completed 72.2% of his passes for 3812 yards, threw 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He also rushed for 1134 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.

Jayden Daniels makes his goal for the 2026 season clear

The Washington Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels second overall in 2024. Daniels ended the NFC East franchise’s three-decade-long wait for an NFC Title appearance. It ended with a defeat against the Eagles, but his rookie season will go down as one of the best in league history. Naturally, he was voted the Offensive Rookie of the Year and gave Josh Allen strong competition for the league MVP crown.

Experts predicted Daniels to have an even better second year. However, Daniels battled multiple injuries early on. A hamstring injury kept him out of a couple of games. In week eight, Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow. The Commanders placed him on season-ending IR. The Commanders missed the playoffs.

Daniels is back training with the Washington outfit and is ready to make amends for last season. Daniels said via Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports:

I felt like this last year. I wasn’t hurt around this time last year, but it’s year in, year out. It’s a new year. I don’t want to compare to what I did my first two years. Now I’m in a new season and new year, so I’m just trying to be the best version of myself.

In 24 games since his debut, Daniels has completed 66.6% of his passes for 4830 yards, 33 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1169 yards and scored 8 TDs on 206 carries with the ball. According to Sports Illustrated’s Ryan Gilbert, Daniels boasts +2000 odds of winning the NFL MVP title.

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