The Jayden Daniels, LSU saga has taken another return.
Hours after ESPN reported that Daniels has asked LSU to stop using his name, image and likeness, after the Tigers issued his No. 5 jersey to a player on the 2026 team, there's now some drama surrounding the Heisman Trophy.
According to Matt Moscona of 104.5 ESPN in Baton Rouge, Daniels' camp has asked LSU to return their copy of his Heisman Trophy. Typically, both the winning player and the school will get copies of the trophy. So, Daniels' move seems incredibly petty.
"The LSU-Jayden Daniel saga takes another strange turn. Sources confirm Daniels’ camp wants LSU to return its copy of the Heisman Trophy—something LSU has no intention of doing. Daniels contacted LSU leadership before fall camp. Lane Kiffin has personally spoken to Daniels," Moscona reported.
Earlier on Thursday, ESPN reported that an attorney contacted LSU, telling the Tigers that they can no longer use his name, image and likeness, according to an Aug. 5 letter sent to Tigers athletic director Verge Ausberry.
The drama appears to stem from LSU allowing defensive back DJ Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey that Daniels wore when he became LSU's third Heisman Trophy 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."
Daniels' family remains upset
"Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected," the statement said. "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."
