Damien Pickett, the father of LSU defensive back DJ Pickett, would like all of the drama to stop. His son is caught in the crossfire of former Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels because of a jersey number that was supposedly promised to him by Brian Kelly.
The elder Pickett’s plea is quite ironic given his most recent post on social media and his son’s refusal.
Neither the college football program and its head coach nor their star cornerback are bending the knee. This will continue until the former quarterback decides to give it up.
DJ Pickett is going to wear Jayden Daniels’ jersey.
This whole thing started during the first two years of the Brian Kelly era at LSU. Daniels transferred in from Arizona State and won 10 games in back-to-back seasons. However, the Tigers’ defense was one of the worst in the country so each of the 10-win seasons were marred by three or more losses. They finished outside of the top 10 in 2022 and 2023.
Despite the defensive ineptitude, Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy as a senior— at which point Kelly promised that his jersey number would be retired moving forward. Meanwhile, Kelly also promised the No. 5 to five-star defensive back DJ Pickett.
Kelly did not allow DJ Pickett to wear his number as a freshman in 2025. Lane Kiffin decided to make good on the unkept promise and let him wear the number in 2026. That did not go over well with Daniels.
He, through his representation, issued a cease and desist letter to LSU to inform the university that it can no longer use his name, image or likeness. He, through his representation, also asked for the school’s copy of the Heisman Trophy to be returned.
Daniels’ team claims it never asked for the Heisman. The Tigers say otherwise.
Regardless of the exact demands, Daniels is not happy with Kiffin’s decision to let Pickett wear his number. However, Louisiana State University has a specific policy regarding retired numbers that discredits his frustration. A retired jersey can still be worn by a current student-athlete if he or she is allowed by the head coach. Only No. 20 (for Billy Cannon) is completely off the table.
There is nothing to stop Pickett from wearing No. 5. He is going to wear it.
Daniels’ demands have completely backfired. I don’t know anyone that thinks he has handled this situation properly.
LSU won’t shy away from the number 5.
Lane Kiffin let DJ Pickett wear his jersey number because it was promised to him. It was that simple.
“DJ is in 5. That was a situation that was promised to him in recruiting here, for him to sign here. When a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it.”
He is not going to comment further on the topic. His decision is final.
Lane Kiffin today referred to his previous comments on giving DJ Pickett the No. 5 last worn by Jayden Daniels, when he said the number was promised in recruiting. He "did not have an answer" about letting someone wear Joe Burrow's No. 9 if a player asked for that. pic.twitter.com/oRjZ2RP8wt
— Wilson Alexander (@walexander) August 13, 2026
Meanwhile, LSU appeared to double down on the controversy. The Tigers posted a video of Pickett during training camp. He is wearing No. 5 in the video because that is his jersey number. It is what it is.
He just keeps making plays pic.twitter.com/kzKDdwMQ3i
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 17, 2026
Pickett’s father would prefer the focus to shift back toward football and away from jersey numbers, NIL and Jayden Daniels.
Although it is a fair request, it contradicts his most recent post during this entire saga. Damien Pickett plugged his son’s merchandise with the jersey No. 5 to add fuel to the fire just a few days before he made his plea for a return to football.