Jayden Daniels is an LSU legend, but recent events have turned his relationship with the school where he emerged as a superstar upside down.
The turmoil stems from sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett being allowed to wear the number five, which Daniels of course wore during his Heisman Trophy-winning season. He and his family were adamant that nobody could wear that number at the school moving forward, and as a result, have informed LSU that it can no longer use his name, image and likeness.
The Daniels family provided a statement to show their disappointment:
“The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player. Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university.
Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected. His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU,”
Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions while adding 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on 135 carries during his Heisman Trophy-winning season at LSU in 2023.
For comparison, Joe Burrow’s number nine has not been worn since 2019, the year he also won the Heisman Trophy. The major difference was, of course, that the Burrow-led Tigers went 15-0 and won the College Football Playoff national championship. Daniels’ squad, on the other hand, went 9-3 and missed the playoffs altogether.
That could explain part of the reasoning behind LSU being open to letting Pickett take the No. 5, though it’s clear that, no matter why, it hasn’t sat well with Daniels and his family — and understandably so.
