Sports

LSU Football Player Cashing In With NIL Boost As Jayden Daniels Becomes National Punchline

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Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

DJ Pickett will wear No. 5 at LSU for the first time since Jayden Daniels.


Jayden Daniels has become a national punchline amid a jersey number drama with LSU. The star quarterback sent a cease and desist to the school in response to seeing his No. 5 recirculated in Baton Rouge.

Tigers defensive back DJ Pickett is looking to cash in on the attention in the form a monetary boost. His dad posted a link to the NIL store while watching the story erupt on social media.

That link provides followers quick access to personalized items ranging from a No. 5 t-shirt jersey listed for $39.99 up to an actual jersey on sale for $109.99.

Jayden Daniels does not want LSU to reuse his jersey number.

“The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player. 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.”

-Statement from Jayden Daniels’ camp via ESPN

Daniels wore No. 5 during his Heisman trophy winning campaign in 2023. That number was promised to five-star defender DJ Pickett in the recruiting process. Daniels was led to believe the number would be protected.

Pickett signed with LSU in 2025. He was a Freshman All-American as a rookie while donning No. 3. Lane Kiffin believes the promise given by former head coach Brian Kelly should be honored.

Pickett could’ve played at any university in the country. The Florida product picked the Tigers over many notable suitors. His family confirmed that a vow was made.

“It’s the number I was promised,” Pickett said in a recent press conference. “I wish Jayden the best. He’s a good player. He did really good here, but that’s all.”

The jersey number is not the reason the defensive back committed to LSU. A relationship with his position coach more heavily influenced his decision. That does not change the situation. Had more clarity been provided, this drama might’ve been avoided.

“If we would have been told during our recruiting process and they had said, ‘Hey, No. 5 is not being issued. We can’t promise you No. 5, but we can talk to Jayden and see what Jayden has to say. If he gives his blessing, he does. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t,’ (we would have) moved forward.’ If we were to have had a situation like that, it probably would not have blown up like this.”

-Damien Pickett

Pickett is acting on a promise made. He did not create the circumstance. He took a year without the jersey out of respect for Daniels. Things have now changed under a new staff.

The ultimate loser in this situation is Jayden Daniels, who also wants LSU to give up their Heisman trophy while banning the school from using his name, image, and likeness.

The Commanders signal caller has become a national punchline as a result.

Major brands troll Jayden Daniels.

StubHub was the first notable account to take a shot at Daniels on social media. Many others followed suit over the weekend.

Those ranged from Ivy League colleges to MLB franchises to flushable male cleanliness brand Dude Wipes.

Everyone is talking about the Jayden Daniels jersey number drama, and none positively!

Daniels has become the butt of a joke in the sports world.

Jayden Daniels is now a sports punchline. DJ Pickett is looking to strike while the iron’s hot. It seems likely that an NIL boost will be reflected in jersey sales.