Lane Kiffin isn’t budging.
The LSU coach clarified his stance - and his team’s - after Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels filed a cease-and-desist letter sent to LSU.
Daniels, who won the 2023 Heisman Trophy at LSU, was “disrespected” when LSU issued his No. 5 jersey to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett.
RELATED: Jayden Daniels wants Heisman back from LSU
“DJ is in (No.) 5, and that was a situation that was promised to him in recruiting here, for him to sign here,” Kiffin told reporters Thursday. “I’ve done a lot of research on that with the family and the representatives and the people, so really I didn’t have a decision to make. It was promised to the kid. It wasn’t done for whatever (reason). I’m not going to get into that.
“I’m not going to judge something (that was done) when I wasn’t here. But when a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it. So at that point, I don’t think that’s really my decision. We should honor what he was told.”
It is assumed Kiffin is referring to a promise former LSU coach Brian Kelly made during the recruitment of Pickett.
Daniels’ jersey isn’t retired but no one has worn the number since Daniels left.
“Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected,” part of a statement from Daniels’ attorney to LSU read. “His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU.”
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