DJ Pickett Keeps LSU No. 5 as Conflicting Promises Spark Rift With Jayden Daniels
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 13
DJ Pickett Keeps LSU No. 5 as Conflicting Promises Spark Rift With Jayden Daniels
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 13
Summary
DJ Pickett said Thursday he will keep LSU’s No. 5 jersey, calling it the number he has worn since age 4 and the one he was promised.
LSU created the dispute by first assuring Pickett he would get No. 5, then colliding with an earlier commitment to former Tigers star and current Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Damien Pickett said the family is disappointed the issue surfaced just before the season and that Daniels, whom he called an LSU legend, did not publicly support his son wearing the number.
The standoff highlights the risk of schools retiring or informally reserving jersey numbers without clear rules, leaving recruits, alumni and programs exposed when competing claims emerge.