Cornerback DJ Pickett of LSU announced Thursday that he will continue wearing the No. 5 jersey despite a cease-and-desist letter issued by former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, now with the Washington Commanders.
Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 while wearing No. 5 at LSU, demanded the university stop using his name, image, and likeness (NIL) after Pickett switched to the number this season. The jersey has not been retired by LSU, which has not issued a formal response to Daniels’ letter.
Pickett, who wore No. 3 as a freshman, confirmed on social media that he would retain No. 5, stating he has worn the number since age 4 and was promised it by LSU. “I’ve worn the number my whole life, since I was 4 years old,” Pickett said. “It’s the number I was promised. I wish Jayden the best.”
Daniels’ Legal Demand and Public Response
Jayden Daniels issued the cease-and-desist letter to LSU on August 7, arguing that allowing another player to wear his former jersey number constitutes unauthorized use of his NIL. Daniels, who led LSU to a Heisman-winning season in 2023 but did not win a national championship, posted a statement on social media emphasizing his focus on the Commanders’ training camp.
“I have been locked in on training camp and that’s been my number one focus,” Daniels wrote. “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 be worked out between my team and LSU, and my hope is that it will get done privately.”
The controversy has sparked reactions beyond LSU’s campus. The New York Mets jokingly referenced the feud in a social media post after a game against the Washington Nationals, writing: “Stopped at 4 out of respect for Jayden Daniels.” Ticketing platform StubHub also announced it would no longer sell tickets in groups of five “out of respect” for Daniels.
LSU’s Jersey Number Policy and Historical Context
LSU has not formally addressed Daniels’ cease-and-desist letter, and the university has historically allowed jersey numbers to be reassigned after a player’s departure, provided the number is not retired. Only five LSU football players have had their jerseys retired: Billy Cannon (20), Tommy Casanova (37), Jerry Stovall (21), Charles Alexander (4), and Bert Jones (7).
Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette, who wore the retired No. 7, suggested Daniels should move on from the dispute. “Just let it go,” Fournette said on the “4th and South” podcast. “No player is bigger than the brand. No player is bigger than the LSU brand.”
Fournette also noted that other LSU legends, such as Joe Burrow (No. 9), have not had their numbers retired, implying that jersey numbers are part of the program’s tradition rather than an individual’s permanent property.
Pickett’s Stance and the Future of No. 5
Pickett, a sophomore cornerback, has not indicated any willingness to change his number. His decision to keep No. 5 follows his transition from No. 3, which he wore as a freshman. LSU has not commented on whether it will intervene or honor Pickett’s claim to the number.
The dispute raises questions about NIL rights, jersey number ownership, and the boundaries of athlete control over their collegiate legacy. While Daniels seeks to restrict LSU’s use of his NIL, the university has not indicated plans to retire No. 5, leaving the matter unresolved as the 2024 college football season approaches.