'Profoundly disrespected': Why Jayden Daniels sent LSU the pettiest cease-and-desist over jersey number

'Profoundly disrespected': Why Jayden Daniels sent LSU the pettiest cease-and-desist over jersey number originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's a new era at LSU, which hired a new head coach, athletic director and president in 2025.

The Tigers have a rich history, including a Heisman Trophy from Jayden Daniels just three years ago. In Daniels' eyes, that season has been forgotten far too soon.

After LSU handed out his No. 5 to an active player, Daniels is responding with a clear message to the program. 

Here's what you need to know about Daniels' cease-and-desist letter and his history at LSU.

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Jayden Daniels cease-and-desist

LSU gave No. 5, which Daniels wore during his Heisman season, to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett this summer. The number was never retired for Daniels, and the Commanders quarterback is now hitting back at the program.

Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU on Aug. 5, requesting that LSU no longer use his name, image and likeness after letting another player wear No. 5.

"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, as reported by ESPN. "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."

The statement goes on to say LSU's decision "feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU," claiming, "Jayden made it clear he did not want his number given to another player."

Brian Kelly, who recruited Pickett, confirmed to ESPN that the number was promised to the cornerback but said he held off on giving him No. 5 because of Daniels' objection.

"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."

No. 9 refers to Joe Burrow's number, which isn't retired but hasn't been worn at LSU since the quarterback's national championship season in 2019.

Who is DJ Pickett?

Pickett was a five-star cornerback in the class of 2025, ranking as the No. 24 player in the class, according to 247 Sports. He committed to the Tigers in 2024, when Kelly was heading into his third year at LSU.

Pickett saw playing time as a true freshman, finishing the season with three interceptions and sticking with the program after Kiffin replaced Kelly.

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What number did Jayden Daniels wear at LSU?

Daniels wore No. 5 at both Arizona State and LSU. The Heisman Trophy winner also wore No. 5 in high school and wears it in the NFL with the Commanders, so he has a career attachment to the number.

Jayden Daniels college stats

Daniels looked like one of the best young quarterbacks in the country at Arizona State in 2019, but he didn't rediscover that momentum until transferring to LSU after the 2021 season.

After a promising first season with the Tigers, Daniels exploded for 50 total touchdowns to just four interceptions in his final season at LSU.

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Did Jayden Daniels win a national championship at LSU?

This is where the comparisons between Burrow and Daniels become murky: Burrow won a national championship at LSU, leading one of the greatest seasons in college football history as the Tigers went undefeated on their way to a national title.

Daniels went 9-3 as a starter during his Heisman Trophy season, and LSU failed to make the College Football Playoff. 

While there is no doubt Daniels was one of the most electrifying players in the country in 2023 and LSU's problems ran much deeper than one player, the Tigers took themselves out of title contention by the end of September with losses to Florida State and Ole Miss in the four-team playoff era.

LSU went 10-4 in Daniels' first season, so the Tigers were never legitimate playoff contenders late in the year in either of his two years with the program.

LSU retired jersey numbers

LSU has retired four numbers in its history:

• No. 4 (Charles Alexander)
• No. 20 (Billy Cannon)
• No. 21 (Jerry Stovall)
• No. 37 (Tommy Casanova)

The Tigers have had numerous stars in recent history, including Odell Beckham Jr., Leonard Fournette, Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Joe Burrow, but no one under the age of 69 has their number retired by the program. 

With that being said, Daniels is one of three Heisman winners in program history. Cannon was the first and has his number retired, while Burrow was the second and figures to one day have his number retired.

Is Joe Burrow's number retired at LSU?

Burrow's number isn't retired by LSU, but No. 9 hasn't been given out since he last played for the Tigers in 2019.

At some point in the future, Burrow can likely expect to celebrate a formal number retirement, considering he won a national championship for Baton Rouge.