A legal issue has surfaced between Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and his alma mater, LSU.
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According to ESPN, an attorney representing Daniels has sent a cease and desist to Athletic Director Verge Ausberry saying that LSU can no longer use Daniels' name, image, and likeness. This follows LSU allowing sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to switch from No. 3 to No. 5.
Daniels wore No. 5 during his two seasons with the Tigers (2022-23), a run that ended with him winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the SEC with 40 touchdowns.
"The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player," Daniels' spokesperson said in a statement.
"Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university."
According to head coach Lane Kiffin, Pickett had been promised that he could wear the No. 5 when he signed with the Tigers in 2024. Pickett wore this number during his high school career, but he used No. 3 during a freshman season in which he became an All-American.
Brian Kelly, the now-fired head coach, did not issue the No. 5 jersey to Pickett during the 2025 season. He said that he did not have Daniels' support in the matter.
"I just wasn't prepared to do it until we got a full commitment from another Heisman Trophy winner," Kelly said. "We didn't want to issue No. 9, so you can't treat one differently from the other."
Pickett switched to the No. 5 when preseason practices began last week, which sparked the response from Daniels and his attorney.
Three players have won the Heisman Trophy for LSU. Running back Billy Cannon won the award in 1959 after posting 759 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a game-winning touchdown against Ole Miss after breaking seven tackles.
Cannon wore No. 20 during his National Championship-winning tenure at LSU. The university then retired his number in 1960, making it unavailable for any future players.
Joe Burrow won the Heisman in 2019 after leading the Tigers to a National Championship. He also led the SEC in multiple categories, including passing yards (5,671), touchdowns (60), and yards per game (378.1).
LSU has not retired Burrow's No. 9 jersey, but no other player has worn it since he headed to the NFL as the first overall pick in the 2020 Draft.
Cannon is one of four players to have a jersey number retired. The others are defensive back Tommy Casanova (No. 37), halfback Jerry Stovall (No. 21), and running back Charles Alexander (No. 4). Quarterback Bert Jones' No. 7 will be retired in November.
Interestingly, any jersey retired after 2007 can still be worn by a player. This is a decision that the head coach of the football team must make on a case-by-case basis.
