08/12/26 11:32:00
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08/12 23:30 CDT Daniels sends LSU cease-and-desist letter regarding decision to
give No. 5 jersey to current player
Daniels sends LSU cease-and-desist letter regarding decision to give No. 5
jersey to current player
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) --- A representative for Washington Commanders
quarterback Jayden Daniels has told LSU it can no longer use the 2023 Heisman
Trophy winner's name, image and likeness.
ESPN got a copy of the letter that was sent to LSU athletic director Verge
Ausberry and said Daniels' decision stems from the school's decision to allow
cornerback D.J. Pickett to wear a No. 5 jersey. That's the number Daniels wore
during his two seasons at LSU.
This would mark the first time an LSU player has worn No. 5 since Daniels'
departure, though the school hadn't retired the jersey.
"Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player,
and he believed his wishes would be respected," the statement from Daniels'
spokesperson said. "His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he
accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his
number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a
failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU."
Pickett wore a No. 3 jersey as a freshman last year but is switching to No. 5
this season. The 6-foot-5 cornerback is a former five-star recruit who had
three interceptions as a freshman last season.
LSU coach Lane Kiffin said last week that Pickett was promised the opportunity
to wear No. 5 when he signed with LSU in December 2024, when Brian Kelly was
coaching the Tigers. Kelly was fired in October 2025. and Kiffin was hired at
the end of the regular season.
"When a kid's promised something to come to a school, he should wear it,"
Kiffin said during an Aug. 5 media session. "So at that point, I don't think
it's really my decision. We should honor what he was told."
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and
https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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