08/13/26 06:10:00
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08/13 18:09 CDT Lane Kiffin stands by D.J. Pickett wearing the No. 5 of former
LSU QB Jayden Daniels
Lane Kiffin stands by D.J. Pickett wearing the No. 5 of former LSU QB Jayden
Daniels
By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Thursday that he is standing by his initial stance
on allowing cornerback D.J. Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey previously worn by
2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels --- even in the face of objections
and legal threats from the former Tigers quarterback.
"I commented a week ago on that," Kiffin said after practice in Baton Rouge.
"That's the comment that I had and we're moving forward."
LSU's official online store has removed replica Daniels jerseys from the menu
of those for sale, which include the No. 9 of 2019 Heisman Trophy winner Joe
Burrow and the No. 3 of former star receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Meanwhile, Pickett showed no interest in relinquishing the No. 5 when he spoke
with reporters after Thursday's practice.
"I've been wearing the number my whole life, since I was 4 years old," Pickett
said. "That was the number I was promised. I wish Jayden the best. Good player
--- he did real good here."
Daniels, drafted second overall by the Washington Commanders in 2024, said in a
social media post on Thursday that the matter would not affect his preparation
for the NFL season.
"I have been locked in on training camp and that has been my No. 1 focus,"
Daniels said in the post. "I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I'm
proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there.
"Obviously there are issues to get worked out" with LSU, Daniels continued. "My
hope is that it will get done privately. ... I realize the business of football
is unique and I trust that this can all be resolved."
Daniels' statement came in the wake of reports about a letter in which his
Miami-based attorney, Adam Kenner, demanded that LSU no longer use his client's
name, image or likeness to promote the university or its athletic programs.
Pickett wore a No. 3 jersey as a freshman last year but was wearing No. 5 when
August camp opened last week. The 6-foot-5 cornerback is a former five-star
recruit who had three interceptions in 2025.
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."
Pickett is the first player to wear No. 5 since Daniels left LSU. Under LSU
policy, the only number football players cannot wear is No. 20, worn by the
late Billy Cannon, who was the Tigers' first Heisman winner in 1959.
Top LSU officials, including Athletic Director Verge Ausberry, have declined to
comment on the matter.
A number of images of Daniels that are on display at LSU would be considered in
the public domain, and not subject to any contractual agreements between the
university and the quarterback. But LSU has in the past featured Daniels in
promotional videos shown in Tiger Stadium or and elsewhere, and it remains to
be seen whether LSU might edit some of those out should the dispute become
protracted.
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