The LSU Tigers are seeing some dramatics even before Lane Kiffin has coached a game.

An attorney for former Tigers superstar quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels has filed a cease and desist letter to the University to inform LSU it can no longer use his name, image and likeness.

The reason for the move on the part of the Daniels camp is allowing sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett to wear Daniels’ No. 5 jersey, which has not been retired but has not been worn since his Heisman season in 2023. Kiffin told media when asked about the controversy that Pickett was promised the number in recruitment.

🚨 LSU JERSEY CONTROVERSY: LSU head coach Lane Kiffin says he had "no decision to make" in giving sophomore CB DJ Pickett the No. 5 jersey, as it was promised during his recruitment.

Meanwhile, former LSU QB and 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels has sent a cease-and-desist… pic.twitter.com/5hnAItZh1G

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) August 13, 2026

“The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player,” a statement from Daniels’ spokesperson obtained by ESPN read. “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.”

“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.”

On Kiffin’s end, who was obviously not in Baton Rouge during Daniels’ Heisman year, says there was no consideration of not giving Pickett the No. 5 he was promised.

“DJ is in [No.] 5, and that was a situation that was promised to him in recruiting here, for him to sign here,” Kiffin said.

“I’ve done a lot of research on that with the family and the representatives and the people, so really I didn’t have a decision to make. It was promised to the kid. It wasn’t done for whatever [reason]. I’m not going to get into that…I’m not going to judge something [that was done] when I wasn’t here. 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.”