Jayden Daniels Asks LSU To Return His Heisman Trophy Amid No. 5 Dispute

Former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has requested that the university return its copy of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2023, as a dispute over his old No. 5 jersey number continues to escalate. Daniels’ representatives also sent LSU a cease-and-desist letter, obtained by ESPN, demanding the school stop using his name, image and likeness for promotional purposes.

The conflict stems from LSU’s decision to allow sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear No. 5 this season. Daniels first learned of the move when promotional photos featuring Pickett in the number leaked, and he personally reached out to LSU leadership before fall camp began to express his displeasure. LSU coach Lane Kiffin has since spoken directly with Daniels’ representative.

A Number Promised Twice Over

Pickett, a five-star 2025 signee out of Florida, has said wearing No. 5 was a condition of his commitment to LSU — a stipulation discussed with all three of his finalist schools, including Oregon and Miami. He wore the number throughout his high school career, but former LSU coach Brian Kelly declined to issue it to him as a freshman without Daniels’ blessing, and Pickett instead wore No. 3 en route to Freshman All-America honors in 2025. Sources say the jersey number, not financial terms, was the central point of negotiation when Pickett discussed returning to LSU this offseason.

LSU has indicated it has no intention of returning the Heisman Trophy and remains undecided on how, if at all, it will comply with the cease-and-desist letter, which the school notes is not legally binding.

LSU’s Retired-Number Policy

Under LSU bylaws established in 2007, retiring a player’s jersey number does not prevent a current athlete from wearing it in that or any other sport, at the discretion of the head coach. One source close to the program characterized number retirement as an “antiquated policy,” pointing to NFL teams increasingly favoring a ring-of-honor approach that doesn’t take numbers out of circulation.

Daniels, now entering his second NFL season, led LSU to a Heisman-winning 2023 campaign before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The dispute marks a notable rift between the program and one of its most decorated recent stars.

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Article by USports Editors