LSU and quarterback Jayden Daniels dispute over reissuing No. 5 to DJ Pickett

LSU announced that cornerback DJ Pickett will wear jersey number 5, a number previously associated with former Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who led the university to the 2023 award. Daniels’ attorney has sent a letter to the school requesting that LSU cease using Daniels’ name, image and likeness in connection with the number, stating that the family feels “deeply disappointed and profoundly disrespected” by the decision.

A spokesperson for Daniels told ESPN that the family believed the number would remain part of his legacy and that Daniels had explicitly expressed a wish that it not be reassigned.

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said the promise to allow Pickett to wear No. 5 was made during recruiting before his tenure and that he was not responsible for the decision. He added that the university had “done a lot of research” with the player’s family and representatives before honoring the commitment.

Former LSU coach Brian Kelly also confirmed that the number had been promised to Pickett during recruitment, but that the school delayed issuing it after Daniels objected. Kelly noted that the university had set aside No. 9 for another Heisman winner, quarterback Joe Burrow.

The dispute highlights the challenges schools face when managing jersey number assignments that carry symbolic significance for former players, especially amid increasing player mobility and name-image-likeness (NIL) agreements.