The important thing is this isn’t awkward.
An attorney representing Washington Commanders star and former LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels informed LSU that it can no longer use Daniels’ name, image and likeness (NIL). This comes in the wake of LSU sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett changing his number to No. 5, which Daniels wore over his two years with the Tigers from 2022-23.
“The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player,” an Aug. 5 statement from Daniels’ spokesperson read, according to 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. …
“Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected. 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 consensus five-star recruit, wore No. 3 last season, with him recently changing to No. 5, which LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said the defensive back was “promised” he could wear when being recruited by the school in 2024. The No. 5 isn’t retired by LSU.
“Accordingly, LSU must immediately cease and desist from any further issue use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization, or other exploitation of Mr. Daniels’ NIL in any manner or medium,” attorney Adam Kenner wrote. “Any use of Mr. Daniels’ NIL occurring after LSU’s receipt of this notice will be deemed knowing and willful and will be pursued vigorously through all available legal and equitable remedies, without further notice.”
As for what he did on the field last season at LSU (2025), Pickett totaled three interceptions, three passes defended, two sacks and 37 combined tackles in his 2025 freshman campaign.
Regarding Daniels, he transferred to Baton Rouge after three seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils (2019-21) and was the Tigers’ starting quarterback for two seasons (2022-23).
In his second year at LSU, Daniels put together one of the best seasons by a quarterback in college football history, capped off by winning the 2023 Heisman Trophy Award. Across 12 games, Daniels totaled 3,812 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, four interceptions and a 208.0 passer rating, while completing 72.2% of his passes. His 40 passing touchdowns and 208.0 passer rating each led the SEC, while Daniels also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Jayden Daniels is first in LSU history with a 173.6 passer rating over his two seasons with the program. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Daniels was then selected by the Washington Commanders with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and proceeded to lead them to a playoff win for the first time since 2005 and to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991, when Washington won Super Bowl XXVI. In doing so, Daniels won 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, totaling 3,568 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 100.1 passer rating in the regular season, while completing 69.0% of his passes. Meanwhile, Daniels rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns.
Daniels was limited to seven games in 2025 due to ankle, knee and elbow injuries, posting an 88.1 passer rating and completing 60.6% of his passes. The Commanders missed the playoffs at 5-12.
LSU is entering its first season with Kiffin, who previously went 55-19 as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels from 2020-25, as its new coach.
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