RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Jayden Daniels is apparently really, really upset with LSU.
A day after it became known that the Washington Commanders QB was unhappy with a player on LSU's current roster wearing the No. 5 jersey, Louisiana Sports reported that Daniels has also asked for LSU to "return its copy of the Heisman Trophy Daniels won in 2023."
LSU reportedly has no plans to do so.
Daniels transferred to LSU ahead of the 2022 season when Brian Kelly was the Tigers' coach. He won the Heisman in 2023 as he threw for 40 touchdowns and rushed for 10 more while compiling nearly 5,000 total yards in 12 games. The Tigers went 10-3 that season as Daniels sat out the team's ReliaQuest Bowl win ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.
When LSU and Kelly signed cornerback DJ Pickett in 2025, the now-sophomore wanted to wear No. 5. He wore No. 3 last season, as Kelly kept the No. 5 jersey out of circulation out of respect to Daniels.
But with Kelly fired during the 2025 season and Lane Kiffin now in charge at LSU, Pickett's request to wear the No. 5 jersey was granted for the 2026 season. That has rankled Daniels so much that he sent LSU a cease and desist to stop using his name, image and likeness.
A statement from Daniels' family said the quarterback feels "profoundly disrespected" that Pickett is wearing No. 5.
It's worth noting that no player on LSU's roster currently wears the No. 9 — the same number that Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow wore with the Tigers. Burrow won the 2019 Heisman Trophy and was LSU's most recent Heisman winner before Daniels.
However, it's easy to understand that the 2019 season is held in a higher regard in Baton Rouge. After all, the Tigers put together one of the best college football seasons ever and went undefeated on the way to a national title.
Billy Cannon, LSU's first Heisman winner, wore No. 20. No player on LSU's current roster wears that number, either.
However, there's no official LSU policy that prohibits the re-issuing of a jersey number that has been retired. Tommy Casanova (No. 37), Jerry Stovall (No. 21), Charles Alexander (No. 4) and Bert Jones (No. 7) have had their jerseys retired along with Cannon and many current and former players have worn their numbers.
Neither Burrow nor Daniels have formally had their numbers retired by LSU.
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