LSU Corner Responds to Jayden Daniels' Number Critique
Newsweek · C · trust 6/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Washington Commanders quarterback and former LSU product Jayen Daniels made a surprising move earlier this month when he sent a cease and desist letter to his alma mater, telling them they no longer have his permission to use his name, image and likeness (NIL), due to the fact that the university allowed another athlete to wear his former jersey, no. 5.
After this was made public on Wednesday, Aug. 12, the current wearer of the jersey – cornerback D.J. Pickett – revealed on Thursday that he was not planning to relinquish the number, which has not been retired by the university.
Although Daniels did win the Heisman Trophy for the 2023 college football season, he never won an NCAA National Championship.
"LSU's DJ Pickett says he has no plans to change out of the No. 5 amid pushback from Jayden Daniels, with the Washington Commanders QB saying the situation won't be a distraction." ESPN posted on X on Thursday.
Pickett is the first athlete since Daniels to wear the jersey. Although in real terms this simply means that the jersey lay vacant for two seasons, in 2024 and 2025.
"I've worn the number my whole life, since I was 4 years old," Pickett said on Thursday. "It's the number I was promised [by LSU]. I wish Jayden the best. Good player, and he did real good here [at LSU]. So that's all."
The now-sophomore played his freshman year with #3, but appeared to have pivoted to #5 during preseason practice last week.
It will be interesting to see whether the university capitulates and gets Pickett to change his number, or whether they will honor the promise that they made the young CB and let him keep #5.
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