DJ Pickett won't budge on No. 5 amid Jayden Daniels-LSU flap - ESPN

LSU cornerback DJ Pickett says he has no plans to change out of the No. 5 amid pushback from 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, with the Washington Commanders quarterback saying the situation won't distract from his focus on the NFL season.

«I've worn the number my whole life, since I was 4 years old,» Pickett, a sophomore, said Thursday. «It's the number I was promised [by LSU]. I wish Jayden the best. Good player, and he did real good here [at LSU]. So, that's all.»

An attorney representing Daniels has informed LSU that it can no longer use his name, image and likeness, according to an Aug. 5 letter sent to Tigers athletic director Verge Ausberry, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN on Wednesday.

At the center of the dispute, according to a statement from Daniels' spokesperson to ESPN, is that the Tigers are allowing Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey that Daniels wore when he became LSU's third Heisman winner in 2023.

«The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player,» the statement from Daniels' spokesperson said. «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.»

Pickett wore No. 3 during his first season with the Tigers in 2025 when he was named a freshman All-American, but he was wearing No. 5 when the Tigers opened preseason practice last week. He led LSU with three interceptions to go with 37 tackles and one sack in 524 defensive snaps.

«Honestly, man, this right here makes us want to wear the number more,» Damien Pickett, DJ's father, told The Advocate