In a dramatic turn of events, LSU cornerback DJ Pickett is right in the middle of a controversy over the No. 5 jersey. That number belonged to 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.
The dispute has gotten so heated that Daniels’ attorney sent a letter to LSU, demanding the university stop using Daniels’ name, image, and likeness.
The Origin of the Controversy
DJ Pickett, now a sophomore at LSU, has been caught up in this dispute over No. 5—a number he says he’s worn since he was four. Pickett was promised the number when LSU recruited him.
He wore No. 3 in his freshman season in 2025, a year where he was named a freshman All-American. But when preseason practice kicked off for 2026, Pickett showed up wearing the No. 5 jersey.
Jayden Daniels’ Perspective
Jayden Daniels, now with the Washington Commanders, isn’t happy about LSU letting Pickett wear his old number. Daniels’ spokesperson said the family feels disappointed and disrespected by LSU’s decision.
The family thought No. 5 would stay tied to Daniels’ legacy at LSU, a nod to everything he did for the program. Daniels, who transferred from Arizona State, became the Tigers’ third Heisman winner in 2023.
His achievements made him a legend at LSU, and there was a real expectation that his number would be retired or at least set aside. Daniels has said publicly he hopes the whole thing gets resolved quietly, and that his main focus is on his NFL career.
LSU’s Stance and Lane Kiffin’s Role
LSU’s head coach, Lane Kiffin, has backed Pickett’s right to wear No. 5, saying it was promised to him during recruitment. Kiffin believes keeping those promises is important for trust in the program.
He also noted that the decision to give out the number happened before he became head coach. It’s a bit of a mess he inherited, honestly.
Brian Kelly’s Involvement
Former LSU coach Brian Kelly, who was fired in October 2025, also commented on the situation. Kelly confirmed No. 5 was promised to Pickett, but he held off on giving it out while Daniels was still around.
Kelly said he wanted to avoid any problems with Daniels, who was a huge part of the team. During Kelly’s four seasons, LSU went 34-14.
He mentioned that the decision to withhold the number was influenced by wanting to treat all Heisman winners the same. For example, Joe Burrow’s No. 9 hasn’t been worn since the 2019 national championship run.
The Impact on DJ Pickett
For DJ Pickett, this whole thing has just piled on extra pressure as he gets ready for the new season. Pickett’s dad, Damien, says it’s unfair his son is caught in the middle of a fight that isn’t really about him.
Damien Pickett praised Kiffin for keeping the promise to his son, but he had harsh words for Kelly and his staff for how they handled things.
Pickett’s Performance and Future
Despite all the drama, DJ Pickett’s play on the field has been impressive. As a freshman, he led LSU with three interceptions, had 37 tackles, and even notched a sack over 524 defensive snaps.
Back in high school in Zephyrhills, Florida, Pickett was ranked as the No. 2 cornerback in the Class of 2025 by ESPN Recruiting. His agent, Brian Davis, wouldn’t discuss the details of Pickett’s NIL deal with LSU.
But it’s obvious Pickett is focused on football and getting better, even with all the distractions from the jersey mess.
Broader Implications for LSU
The No. 5 jersey controversy brings up tough questions about how schools handle the legacies of their star athletes. LSU has retired the jerseys of four former players, including Billy Cannon and Tommy Casanova.
The policy for other numbers isn’t so clear. The only number that’s permanently off-limits for football players is Cannon’s No. 20.
Future of Jersey Retirements
The situation with Daniels and Pickett could push LSU to rethink how it handles jersey retirements. There’s a real possibility that the promises made during recruitment might need to be reconsidered.
Now that athletes are cashing in on NIL deals, the stakes for honoring their legacies just keep rising. Honestly, making sure everyone’s on the same page from the start seems more important than ever.
For more information on this developing story, you can read the full article on ESPN.
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