DJ Pickett's jersey change from No. 3 to No. 5 ahead of his sophomore season at LSU has become a point of controversy, drawing pushback from one of the program's three Heisman Trophy winners, who previously wore the number.
Former LSU quarterback and 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to the university, obtained by ESPN, stating that LSU is not authorized to use his name, image or likeness in any capacity. Per the letter, LSU's rights to his NIL expired 180 days following his final college game.
Though the jersey number is not specifically mentioned in the letter, ESPN reports the dispute centers around Pickett's number change.
According to ESPN, former LSU coach Brian Kelly said he believed Pickett, whom he recruited to LSU, was promised No. 5 during the recruiting process. However, he ultimately backed away from those plans after Daniels, now the quarterback of the Washington Commanders, expressed reservations about another player wearing his number.
"I just wasn't prepared to do it until we got a full commitment from another Heisman Trophy winner," Kelly told ESPN. "We didn't want to issue No. 9 (worn by Joe Burrow), so you can't treat one differently from the other."
Kelly, now a college football analyst at CBS Sports, was fired by LSU last October after going 34-14, including 5-3 in 2025 at the time of his firing. CBS Sports did not return USA TODAY Sports' request for comment from Kelly at the time of this article.
Daniels led LSU to back-to-back seasons of at least nine wins under Kelly in 2022 and 2023 following his transfer from Arizona State. In his two seasons at Baton Rouge, Daniels completed 502-of-715 passes (70.2%) for 6,725 yards and 57 touchdowns while rushing for 2,019 yards and 21 touchdowns on 321 carries.
Pickett, a former consensus five-star recruit and No. 2-ranked cornerback in the 2025 recruiting class by 247Sports Composite Rankings, is the first Tiger to wear Daniels' former jersey number. Current LSU coach Lane Kiffin told reporters on Wednesday, Aug. 5 that the jersey number was "promised" to Pickett "for him to sign here."
"The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player," Daniels' spokesperson said in a statement. "Jayden and his family had every reason to believe his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy, 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."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brian Kelly explains how Jayden Daniels conversation kept him from giving DJ Pickett No. 5
