Judge allows former NFL players to return to college football
Fox News contributor Jim Gray discusses a court ruling allowing former professional football player Dae’Quan Wright to return to college athletics at LSU. Gray analyzes the lawsuit filed by the SEC to block the transition and examines the shifting NCAA eligibility rules for the 2022 draft class.
Jayden Daniels was phenomenal during his two seasons under center for the LSU Tigers and took home every award imaginable, including the Heisman Trophy, during his final campaign in Death Valley in 2023. He should be an LSU legend for life.
The keyword in the previous sentence is “should,” and many Tigers fans let their opinion about the former signal caller be known during their team’s 51-10 beatdown of Clemson on Saturday night.
During a break in the action at Tiger Stadium, an “NFLSU” video began playing on the jumbotron, highlighting the former LSU players currently playing in the NFL. Every player, except for one, got at least a slight pop from the fans when their names appeared on the video board.
Jayden Daniels No. 5 of the LSU Tigers warms up before facing the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Nov. 4, 2023. (Getty Images)
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When Daniels’ name appeared alongside former LSU linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, a teammate of Daniels with the Washington Commanders, the cheers quickly turned into booing.
The harsh reaction by some LSU fans towards Daniels comes after he and his attorney, Adam Kenner, reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to the university in August, arguing that the Tigers couldn’t continue using his name, image, and likeness.
“Accordingly, LSU must immediately cease and desist from any further issue, use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization, or other exploitation of Mr. Daniels’ NIL in any manner or medium,” Kenner wrote in a letter to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry. “Any use of Mr. Daniels’ NIL occurring after LSU’s receipt of this notice will be deemed knowing and willful and will be pursued vigorously through all available legal and equitable remedies, without further notice.”
Quarterback Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders holds the 2023 Heisman Memorial Trophy he won as a member of the LSU Tigers before the Vegas Kickoff Classic between LSU and USC at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 1, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Getty Images)
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Daniels wore No. 5 during his time in Baton Rouge, and sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett is wearing the same digit this season for the Tigers. Pickett has claimed that he has worn the No. 5 jersey throughout his career and that it was also promised to him when he signed with the Bayou Bengals.
Brian Kelly, who was fired as the head coach at LSU, coached Daniels during his time at LSU and was also a primary recruiter of Pickett.
Lane Kiffin has taken over the program as the head coach in 2026 and has no ties to Daniels during his time in Baton Rouge, as Kiffin was the head coach at Ole Miss at the time.
Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders looks on before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Aug. 14, 2026. (Getty Images)
After Daniels won the Heisman Trophy in 2023, it became incredibly likely his No. 5 jersey would be retired by the Tigers, but LSU has a five-year waiting period before discussions of retiring numbers can take place.
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Daniels appears to have been under the impression that LSU should have asked him beforehand whether he was okay with another player wearing No. 5 for the first time since he left Baton Rouge for the NFL.
Joe Burrow, who won the 2019 Heisman Trophy and led LSU to a national title, has not had his No. 9 worn by another player in Baton Rouge since being drafted first-overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020.
