RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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LSU football and Jayden Daniels were in the headlines on Thursday morning after an attorney representing the former LSU quarterback sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU AD Verge Ausberry, instructing LSU to stop using Daniels' name, image, and likeness.
Per reports, the tension stems from LSU cornerback DJ Pickett wearing the No. 5 jersey that Daniels wore at LSU. Pickett is the first LSU player to wear No. 5 since Daniels won the Heisman in 2023.
"I'm not going to judge something [that was done] when I wasn't here," Kiffin said. "But when a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it. So at that point, I don't think that's really my decision. We should honor what he was told."
Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly told ESPN that No. 5 may have been promised to Pickett during his recruitment, but it was not issued to him because Daniels wasn't on board with Pickett wearing the number. Here is what the statement from Daniels' representation said about Pickett wearing No. 5.
"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," reads the letter, per ESPN.
How did social media react to Daniels' letter sent to LSU?
If u win a heisman ur jersey should be on ice ..
— Wale (@Wale) August 13, 2026 “Jayden isn’t even close to Joe Burrow” pic.twitter.com/Dnm0MEvJIE
— The Weekly Audible (@WeeklyAudible) August 13, 2026 Some social media users pulled up stats from Daniels' career at LSU, alongside those of former LSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, to illustrate why Daniels could have some standing.
a cease and desist is insane though, Louisiana welcomed you with open arms and you do this bc Pickett wearing your #? cmon man
— tik (@twosuh) August 13, 2026 He needs a better camp dawg, this can’t remotely be worth any amount of energy, focus and optics it’s going to create 3 weeks before the regular season starts man https://t.co/3MqYZ1n8w9
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) August 13, 2026 The attorney: https://t.co/YpAoknl597 pic.twitter.com/wE0SGP5DEb
— College Sports Only (@CSOonX) August 13, 2026 Look no disrespect to Jayden Daniels but Joe Burrow had the greatest college football season of all time https://t.co/ga7GJR9aYJ
— Caleb (@OKCowboysBraves) August 13, 2026 Do we have Joe Burrow/Jayden Daniels beef??? https://t.co/V9oyHQa5e0 pic.twitter.com/v3Y8cyEOe4
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 13, 2026 Going 9-4 at LSU and losing to Mike Norvell in back-to-back openers ain’t getting you a jersey retirement ceremony Unless you’re doing Burrow or Newton type stuff you don’t get to transfer in and get treated like that. Want a legacy? Stay. Can’t have your cake and eat it too https://t.co/nEI3dcL8eI
— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) August 13, 2026 Joe Burrow won a national championship, leading arguably the greatest team of all time to an undefeated season Jayden Daniels went 3-5 against ranked opponents You are no Joe Burrow https://t.co/MvPV7l6Oy4
— JaguarGator9 (@JaguarGator9NFL) August 13, 2026 Comparisons between Daniels and Burrow littered social media upon the release of the letter. No LSU players ave worn Burrow's No. 9 or Billy Cannon's No. 20, who is the first of three Heisman Trophy winners at LSU. Daniels' record compared to Burrow's came up along with the fact that Burrow led an undefeated LSU team to a national championship win in 2019.
Joe Burrow led a team to a ring and had one of the most historic seasons ever. Daniels is such a whiner. Get over yourself https://t.co/nOygLOWrUZ pic.twitter.com/F9TZrHOYUt
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) August 13, 2026 pic.twitter.com/4uAPl1AtmJ https://t.co/IVwTRrbXwB
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) August 13, 2026 This is so weak from Jayden's team. What are you thinking? He's getting horrible advice. He looks like an egotistical brat with this move https://t.co/kPoBweWq03
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) August 13, 2026 Every Heisman Trophy Winner should have their number retired. But this cease and desist letter is a COLOSSAL MISTAKE by Jayden Daniels’ team for 3 reasons. 1. Jersey retirements are an honor. -Not something to be demanded -Not something to strong arm a school to do 2. It… pic.twitter.com/GBs9acYJ8Q
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 13, 2026 Really interested to hear you guys thoughts on this. Its just a number to me. Don't care who rocks my number at Georgia. Someone wore it before me and I dont care who wears it after. https://t.co/t0jP9okGiw
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) August 13, 2026 College football analysts across the media world chimed in with their takes on the letter sent by Daniels to LSU. David Pollock and former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III were among the former football players and current media figures to offer their insight.
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 Before the rumor mill runs wild, or things get taken out of context, hoping to provide some clarity- The Daniels’ camp understands that the No. 5 jersey is not retired at LSU, nor have they ever asked for it to be. The cease-and-desist is not about the number itself or about DJ…
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 13, 2026 Former LSU football players weren't shy about hiding their feelings about Daniels either. Former safety Ryan Clark and defensive lineman Brenden Fehoko posted their takes to social media.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football fans react to Jayden Daniels cease-and-...
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