An attorney for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU, informing the school it is no longer authorized to use Daniels' name, image and likeness. The move stems from LSU granting sophomore defensive back DJ Pickett the jersey No. 5, which Daniels also wore during his Heisman Trophy-winning time in Baton Rouge, according to a report by CBS Sports.
The letter became public quickly, and Daniels posted a statement on Instagram appearing to distance himself from the situation. "I have been locked in on training camp and that's been my number one focus," Daniels wrote. "I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I'm proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there. Obviously there are issues to be worked out between my team and LSU and my hope is that it will get done privately. My sole personal focus is on Commanders' football. I realize the business of football is unique and I trust this can all be resolved."
CBS Sports noted that Daniels' mother, Regina Jackson, who serves as lead agent for Daniels in his pro career and is active in his business affairs, is likely leading the push behind the scenes. The report suggested the cease-and-desist may have been sent without Daniels' full knowledge, or at least without his expectation that it would become public.
The situation unfolded as Daniels is preparing for an NFL season while also returning from an elbow injury. CBS Sports described the move as a misunderstanding of how to use leverage, with sloppy lawyering exposed after the letter leaked.
Daniels played the first three years of his college career at Arizona State before transferring to LSU, where he won the Heisman Trophy. He has no deep ties to Louisiana or the program in the way a player recruited out of the state might. CBS Sports noted he will never be the most beloved LSU transfer quarterback and Heisman winner in school history, with Joe Burrow delivering an undefeated season and a national championship in that role.
The dispute sits inside broader questions about how players and their former schools interact now that schools have contractual obligations around a player's likeness in the NIL era.
LSU has not publicly responded to the cease-and-desist letter. No resolution had been announced as of Thursday.
