Before playing professional football for the Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels was a phenomenal quarterback for the LSU Tigers. However, his relationship with the Tigers took a contentious turn on Wednesday after he sent a cease-and-desist letter to his former school, sparking heavy reactions from fans.
CFB World Fires Back as Jayden Daniels Upset Over LSU No. 5 Jersey Reassignment
Daniels instructed LSU through his attorney to stop using his name, image, and likeness following the program’s decision to hand his former No. 5 jersey to former five-star cornerback D.J. Pickett.
Pickett, who wore No. 3 as a freshman, is switching to No. 5 for the 2026 season. Though no LSU player had worn the number since Daniels left for the NFL, the school never officially retired it.
According to a letter obtained by ESPN and sent to athletic director Verge Ausberry, Daniels had previously made it known that he did not want No. 5 reassigned and believed LSU would respect that request.
A statement from Daniels’ spokesperson to ESPN said that “the family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player,” adding that Daniels’ accomplishments should have been honored.
Sources also told ESPN that Daniels feels he is being treated differently from Joe Burrow, whose iconic No. 9 has not been worn since he led LSU to a national championship in 2019, even though the jersey has never been officially retired.
Revisiting the Heisman Trophy seasons of Jayden Daniels (‘23) and Joe Burrow (‘19) 📊 pic.twitter.com/lpCMbNZJVa
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 13, 2026
The comparison quickly earned Daniels criticism from fans.
“Joe Burrow’s jersey no. wasn’t even retired, so what makes him think his would be?” one said.
Joe Burrow’s jersey number wasn’t even retired, so what makes him think his would be?
— craig (@lilyoda119) August 13, 2026
“I’m a JD truther. Burrow won a Natty and won the Heisman. They’re a little different,” a person said.
Pickett was seen wearing No. 5 when LSU opened preseason practice last week. The Tigers’ decision to give him the number came as first-year head coach Lane Kiffin said last week that Pickett was promised the opportunity to wear No. 5 when he signed with LSU in 2024.
Brian Kelly was coaching the Tigers at the time, before being fired midseason last year. Meanwhile, Kelly told ESPN that Pickett had indeed been promised the number during recruiting, but he initially chose not to give it to him because Daniels wasn’t on board with Pickett wearing his number.
As the discussion continued, many fans argued that the situation reflected poorly on Daniels.
“That’s a bad look for Jayden. Have a feeling this is his mommy,” a person said.
That’s a bad look for Jayden. Have a feeling this is his mommy
— TheSeafox (@Th3Seafox) August 13, 2026
“This is just for anyone who challenges my comment; The only LSU football number retired is #20 Billy Cannon (RB) If LSU really retired numbers they wouldn’t have any to hand out,” one added.
“Tim Tebow was a [expletive] legend at Florida, and his number isn’t retired. Jayden played 2 years at LSU, didn’t do anything but win the Heisman. And this is how you act?” a fan said.
Former LSU DT Breiden Fehoko also took issue with Daniels’ decision and said, “I say this in no form of disrespect to JD as a fellow Tiger. You not on the same level as Joey B.”
I say this in no form of disrespect to JD as a fellow Tiger. You not on the same level as Joey B. https://t.co/DE9YR5hAex
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) August 13, 2026
“Are we sure? His best performances were losing 2 games to Florida State,” a netizen said.
Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while adding 1,134 rushing yards and 10 scores. He led LSU to a 10-3 record and finished at No. 1 in PFN’s QB Impact rankings with an incredible 99.4 grade.
