LSU faces NIL injunction as Pickett retains No. 5 amid Daniels dispute
Louisiana State University has been served a cease and desist order by Jayden Daniels’ legal counsel, prohibiting the use of the former quarterback’s name, image and likeness. The action follows the decision to assign Daniels’ former No. 5 jersey to cornerback DJ Pickett, a move the current coaching staff maintains was a binding recruitment commitment.
LSU cornerback DJ Pickett has refused to relinquish the No. 5 jersey, despite a formal legal challenge from former team quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels’ legal team notified LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry on 5 August that the university is no longer authorised to use his name, image and likeness. The injunction cites the institution’s decision to assign the number, which Daniels wore when he won the 2023 Heisman Trophy, to Pickett.
Pickett, a sophomore who wore No. 3 during his freshman season in 2025, began wearing No. 5 at the start of preseason practice. He stated he has worn the number since he was four years old and maintained that it was promised to him during his recruitment. “I wish Jayden the best. Good player, and he did real good here,” Pickett said. “It’s the number I was promised.”
Current head coach Lane Kiffin defended the decision, stating that former coach Brian Kelly had promised Pickett the number when he signed in December 2024. Kiffin told reporters he had researched the matter with the family and representatives and felt bound by the recruitment agreement. “When a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it,” Kiffin said. “So at that point, I don’t think that’s really my decision. We should honour what he was told.”
Kelly, who was dismissed in October 2025, told ESPN he believed the number was promised but chose not to issue it while Daniels was on the team. He compared the situation to the No. 9 jersey worn by Joe Burrow, which has not been worn since 2019. “I just wasn’t prepared to do it until we got a full commitment from another Heisman Trophy winner,” Kelly said. “We didn’t want to issue No. 9, so you can’t treat one differently from the other.”
Daniels, now with the Washington Commanders, expressed disappointment in a statement released by his spokesperson. “The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision,” the statement read. Daniels posted on social media that he is focused on the NFL season and hopes the matter is resolved privately. Pickett’s father, Damien Pickett, told The Advocate he has “the utmost respect” for Kiffin but expressed anger toward Kelly’s staff for the lack of communication during recruitment.
