Jayden Daniels has informed LSU that the school can no longer use his name, image, and likeness, according to ESPN. The move comes after LSU gave Daniels' iconic No. 5 jersey to highly touted cornerback D.J. Pickett. The Daniels family is reportedly “deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected” by the decision. Daniels' camp said he had made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player and believed LSU would respect his wishes.
The situation appears to be about more than just a jersey number. Daniels feels he is being treated differently from Joe Burrow, another LSU Heisman winner whose No. 9 remains strongly associated with his legacy. Daniels previously spoke about the pressure of following Burrow at LSU, calling it a difficult experience.
The issue here is that, as great as Daniels was at LSU, his legacy simply doesn't compare to what Joe Burrow accomplished in Baton Rouge. Daniels won the Heisman Trophy, but LSU never reached the same heights during his time as it did with Burrow. In Burrow's final season, LSU went undefeated, won the national championship, and he put together one of the greatest seasons in college football history, throwing for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns, while adding 368 rushing yards and five more touchdowns.
Daniels was still spectacular, finishing his Heisman-winning season with 4,946 all-purpose yards and 50 total touchdowns. But unlike Burrow, he didn't win a national championship or lead LSU to an undefeated season. That doesn't diminish what Daniels accomplished, but when it comes to LSU's quarterback hierarchy and legacy, Burrow's accomplishments on the biggest stage give him a clear advantage.
