By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
Well, there is no cease-and-desist in sight in the DJ Pickett-Jayden Daniels jersey digit drama. The story just kept going and going.
First, LSU football coach Lane Kiffin said on Aug. 5 that his sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett is switching from his No. 3 jersey of last year to the No. 5 he was originally promised by former coach Brian Kelly and/or assistant coaches while being recruited as one of the top cornerbacks in the country from Zephyrhills, Florida.
Apparently, Kelly and company did not get it cleared with Daniels, the NFL Washington Commanders quarterback since 2024, that they could give his LSU No. 5 to another player. Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy with LSU while wearing No. 5. And the only two previous LSU Heisman winners have never had their jersey worn again by a Tiger. Running back Billy Cannon (No. 20) won the Heisman in 1959 after leading his team to the national title in 1958. And quarterback Joe Burrow (No. 9) won the Heisman in 2019 while leading his team to the national title that season.
So Kelly never gave the No. 5 to Pickett, who wore No. 3 last season.
Then, an attorney representing Daniels wrote a cease-and-desist letter to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry later that same Aug. 5 day. The letter, which ESPN received and did a story on Wednesday night, demanded that Pickett stop wearing No. 5, or LSU can no longer use Daniels’ name, image and likeness, which can be a very profitable enterprise as he did win the Heisman Trophy for LSU in the 2023 season.
Daniels, or perhaps those close to Daniels, were miffed that Kiffin decided to let Pickett wear that No. 5.
Then Pickett’s father, Damien Pickett, joined the fray, telling the Baton Rouge Advocate that his son will not cease the wearing of his No. 5 jersey.
“Honestly, man, this right here makes us want to wear the number more,” the elder Picket said.
Lane Kiffin already said his piece on the Jayden Daniels-DJ Pickett Digit Drama. So he didn’t add to it today. It IS refreshing that Ole Miss is not involved in this episode. … Or are they? @kacehk https://t.co/G9ChV7xqCd
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) August 13, 2026
After that, Kiffin referred reporters at a regularly scheduled press conference to his previous statements about his desire for Pickett to wear the No. 5.
“It was promised to the kid,” Kiffin said. “He should be honored with what he was told. So, he’s wearing it.”
Well, all righty then.
Then later Thursday, DJ Pickett happened to be one of the three scheduled player interviews for reporters. And Pickett opened with a statement.
“About the number situation,” he said. “I wore the number five my whole life, since I was 4 years old. It was the number I was promised. Yeah, and I wish Jayden the best. Good player, and he did real good here. So, that’s all.”
No, it’s not folks.
Still later Thursday afternoon, Daniels released a statement from the Commanders, who are in training camp.
“I have been locked in on training camp and that’s been my number one focus,” Daniels wrote, although training camp started for veterans on July 28 and Daniels practiced on August 5. At some point, he found time to talk to the attorney who wrote th letter to LSU and sent it on August 5.
My guess is that Jayden’s mom is behind the Digit Drama. … And wouldn’t it be funny if Sam Leavitt suddenly asked for No. 9?
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) August 13, 2026
“I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU, and I’m proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there,” Daniels said. “Obviously, there are issues to be worked out between my team and LSU, and my hope is that it will get done privately.”
Yes, privately. That might be the right call, but it’s hard not to see numbers, particularly when the season starts and No. 13 LSU plays No. 23 Clemson on national television in prime time on September 5 in Tiger Stadium (6:30 p.m., ABC).
“My sole personal focus is on Commanders’ football,” Daniels continued. “I realize the business of football is unique, and I trust this can all be resolved.”
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