Just when you thought the Jayden Daniels-LSU drama couldn’t get any more ridiculous, it somehow did.
Daniels’ representatives reportedly asked LSU to return its copy of his 2023 Heisman Trophy as the dispute between the former Tigers quarterback and his old school continues to escalate. LSU reportedly has no plans to return it.
Seriously?
This entire situation started because LSU gave sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett No. 5, the number Daniels wore during his two seasons in Baton Rouge. Daniels and his family felt the number should have remained protected as part of his legacy, eventually leading his representatives to send LSU a cease-and-desist letter regarding the school’s continued use of his name, image and likeness.
Now we’re talking about taking the Heisman Trophy away from LSU?
At some point, this has gone from protecting your legacy to making yourself look petty.
Daniels absolutely deserves recognition for what he accomplished at LSU. He became the school’s third Heisman winner after Billy Cannon and Joe Burrow, throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,134 yards and 10 scores during his incredible 2023 season.
But LSU was also the place that helped Daniels become a Heisman winner.
The school promoted him, developed him and gave him the stage to transform from an Arizona State transfer into the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
And now because another player is wearing No. 5, Daniels reportedly wants LSU’s Heisman copy back?
That’s taking this way too far.
It’s especially difficult to blame Pickett. LSU promised him No. 5 during his recruitment under former coach Brian Kelly, and new coach Lane Kiffin decided to honor that commitment. Pickett has also said the number has personal significance because he’s worn it since childhood.
Daniels’ accomplishments aren’t suddenly erased because Pickett wears the same number.
Nobody is forgetting what Jayden Daniels did at LSU.
But if this keeps going, people might start remembering this ugly breakup just as much as the incredible football.
Daniels already cemented his LSU legacy.
He doesn’t need the school to give him a trophy back to prove it.