Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has recently slammed his alma mater, LSU, in new legal documents. In the court papers, obtained by several outlets, Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy during his time at the storied university, said he no longer wants the legendary university to benefit from his name, image, and likeness. Why? Well, in the legal papers, Daniels and his team implied that the school isn’t treating him with the same respect as Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow.
Jayden Daniels Takes Legal Action Against LSU
An attorney representing Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has informed LSU that it can no longer use his name, image and likeness, according to an Aug. 5 letter sent to Tigers athletic director Verge Ausberry, via ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.https://t.co/WmlpjvkEYE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2026
According to ESPN mainstay Adam Schefter, Daniel is taking legal action against LSU and demanding that the Southern university stop using his name, image, and likeness.
“An attorney representing Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has informed LSU that it can no longer use his name, image and likeness, according to an Aug. 5 letter sent to Tigers athletic director Verge Ausberry,” Schefter’s post read.
Daniels played his final two years of college football with the purple-and-gold and won the coveted Heisman Trophy in 2023.
Why Did Jayden Daniels Send A Cease And Desist Letter To LSU?
The reason for Daniels’ cease-and-desist against LSU is due to the school’s handling of his former college jersey, No. 5. According to Daniels’ representative, the LSU Tigers are allowing sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear the jersey during the upcoming season, a move that shocked Daniels and his team.
“The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player,” the statement stated. “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.”
Jayden Daniels ‘Made It Clear’ That He Didn’t Want To See Anyone Else Wearing His Jersey
Pickett was spotted wearing the No. 5 jersey last week during the team’s preseason practice. The stunning move prompted Daniels and his team to spring into action.
“Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected,” the statement from Daniels’ rep said. “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.”
LSU’s Head Coach Lane Kiffin Comments On The Jersey Drama
While an LSU spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, head coach Lane Kiffin offered a bit of perspective while speaking with the media in early August 2026. According to Kiffin, who has made quite a name for himself in the world of college football, Pickett was promised the number back in December 2024.
“DJ is in [No.] 5, and that was a situation that was promised to him in recruiting here, for him to sign here,” Kiffin claimed. “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.”
Kiffin Stands By LSU’s Decision
Kiffin was hired by LSU in November 2025, and while speaking with the media, he was sure to emphasize that. He went on to say that he couldn’t “judge” something that occurred well before he was part of the LSU football program. He did, however, stand by the decision to let Pickett wear the jersey.
“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,” he finished.
The NFL Star Jayden Daniels Slams LSU Football Team In New Legal Documents first appeared on The Blast