Latest Weather Blog
REPORT: Jayden Daniels sends cease-and-desist to LSU, upset number being issued
Related Story
BATON ROUGE - Former Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels issued a cease-and-desist to LSU over his name, image and likeness after his number was given to another player, ESPN reported.
Daniels, who won the Heisman with LSU in 2023, wore the number 5; that number was issued to cornerback D.J. Pickett.
ESPN reported that a letter was sent to LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry on Aug. 5 saying LSU could no longer use Daniels' name, image and likeness.
"Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected," a statement from Daniels' spokesperson sent to ESPN 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."
Pickett, a former five-star recruit and freshman All-American, wore the number 3 last season. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said Aug. 5 that Pickett had been promised the number when he committed to 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 said. "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.
Pickett was recruited under former head coach Brian Kelly. Kelly confirmed the number being promised to Pickett to ESPN, but said he didn't issue it because he "wasn't prepared to do it until we got a full commitment from another Heisman winner."
ESPN also reported that Daniels felt he is being treated differently from Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow, who also won a Heisman with the Tigers.
News
