BATON ROUGE, La. — Former LSU quarterback and current Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU following the program’s decision to allow sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey Daniels wore during his Heisman Trophy-winning season.

According to ESPN, an attorney representing Daniels sent LSU athletics director Verge Ausberry a letter dated Aug. 5 demanding that the university cease using Daniels’ name, image and likeness.

The letter comes after Pickett was given No. 5, the same number Daniels wore during his historic 2023 season at LSU.

Daniels’ representative said the former Tigers quarterback and his family were “profoundly disrespected” by LSU’s decision. According to ESPN, Daniels believed the number would remain an important part of his LSU legacy and that his accomplishments would be honored by the university.

The dispute, however, is not simply about who wears No. 5.

Daniels’ attorney is specifically challenging LSU’s continued use of his name, image and likeness. The letter reportedly cites Daniels’ agreement with LSU, which permitted the university to use his NIL for 180 days following his final college game.

The letter demands that LSU immediately stop any further use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization or other exploitation of Daniels’ NIL.

Why DJ Pickett Was Given No. 5

Pickett wore No. 3 during his freshman season in 2025, when he earned Freshman All-American honors and established himself as one of the Tigers’ most promising defensive players.

When LSU opened preseason practice, however, Pickett was wearing No. 5.

That decision immediately raised questions surrounding first-year head coach Lane Kiffin and why LSU had decided to reissue a number previously worn by one of the most accomplished players in program history.

Kiffin addressed the situation on Aug. 5, explaining that Pickett had been promised the No. 5 jersey during his recruitment.

Kiffin said he had researched the situation by speaking with Pickett’s family and representatives and determined that the commitment had been made before Kiffin arrived at LSU.

“When a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it,” Kiffin said.

Kiffin ultimately decided that LSU should honor the promise made to Pickett.

Brian Kelly's Perspective

Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly also told ESPN that he believed Pickett had been promised No. 5 during his recruitment.

Kelly, however, said he chose not to give Pickett the number while he was LSU’s head coach because Daniels did not support another player wearing it.

Kelly pointed to LSU’s treatment of Joe Burrow’s No. 9 as an example.

Burrow’s number has not been worn since he led LSU to a 15-0 season, a national championship and the 2019 Heisman Trophy.

Daniels similarly became LSU’s third Heisman Trophy winner in 2023, passing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Unlike Burrow’s No. 9, however, Daniels’ No. 5 was never formally retired.

LSU Has Not Retired No. 5

LSU’s jersey-retirement policy does not automatically prevent a number from being worn again simply because it belonged to a legendary player.

According to ESPN, LSU’s policy requires a player to have completed competition for at least five years before being considered for jersey retirement. The policy also calls for “truly unusual and outstanding accomplishments,” including achievements such as winning the Heisman Trophy or being named National Player of the Year.

Cannon’s No. 20 is currently the only LSU football number that cannot be worn again.

That distinction is important in the Daniels situation.

There is no indication that Daniels legally owns the No. 5 jersey or that LSU was prohibited from assigning the number to another player. Rather, the current dispute centers on Daniels’ NIL rights and what he believes LSU’s decision means for the legacy associated with his time in Baton Rouge.

What Happens Next?

LSU has not publicly indicated that Daniels’ No. 5 jersey will be removed from Pickett or that the university intends to change its decision.

As of ESPN’s report, LSU had not responded to Daniels’ cease-and-desist letter.

The situation now creates an unusual divide between one of the greatest players in LSU history, a highly touted young defensive star who was reportedly promised the number during his recruitment, and a new coaching staff attempting to establish its own culture in Baton Rouge.

For Kiffin, the decision was about honoring a recruiting promise.

For Daniels, the issue appears to be about more than a jersey number. His legal representation is arguing that LSU’s continued use of his name, image and likeness must stop under the terms of his agreement with the university.

How LSU responds could determine whether the dispute ends with a private resolution or develops into a much larger conflict between the Tigers and one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history.

Do you agree with LSU’s decision to give DJ Pickett the No. 5 jersey, or should the Tigers have continued to honor Jayden Daniels’ legacy by keeping the number off the field?

Source: ESPN, “Daniels sends cease-and-desist to LSU after Pickett given No. 5.” Read the ESPN report