LSU CB DJ Pickett has a New Number

LSU CB DJ Pickett has a New Number

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

LSU CB DJ Pickett has a New Number
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – MARCH 31: DJ Pickett #3 of the LSU Tigers standing during spring practice at the LSU Football Operations Center on March 31, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Ella Hall/University Images via Getty Images}

Elite five-star cornerback DJ Pickett emerged onto the scene last season as a True Freshman All-American. He arrived at LSU with tremendous hype as the highest-rated cornerback in his recruiting class, and needless to say, he did not disappoint. Pickett quickly became a staple of the LSU defense and an instant fan favorite while wearing the No. 3 jersey.

However, during practice today, I noticed that Pickett was wearing No. 5, the same number he wore in high school and in all of his official visit photos while being recruited, instead of No. 3.

During the press conference following practice, head coach Lane Kiffin was asked about the number change. Kiffin explained that Pickett was promised he would be able to wear No. 5 as part of his recruitment and ultimately in order to sign with LSU. Kiffin went on to say that he had done a lot of research by speaking with Pickett’s family and representatives, but for whatever reason, that promise was never fulfilled. He added that he was not going to judge a situation that occurred before he arrived at LSU. However, because Pickett was promised the number in order to come to the school, Kiffin felt it should be honored.

This is another example of Kiffin going the extra mile to ensure that even promises made to players before he became LSU’s head coach are kept. He is making it clear that his staff intends to build trust by honoring commitments made to players whenever possible.

Seeing Pickett in purple and gold will never be a sight for sore eyes, but it will certainly be interesting to see the No. 5 jersey back in action inside Tiger Stadium. The last player to wear the number was Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. LSU has seemingly had an unwritten tradition of not reissuing the jersey numbers of its Heisman Trophy winners—Billy Cannon, Joe Burrow, and Jayden Daniels—until now.

Kiffin’s comment that Pickett was promised the No. 5 jersey in order to “sign” with LSU also shows that not every negotiation during the recruiting process revolves around dollar signs.

How do you feel about LSU issuing the No. 5 jersey again? What do you make of Lane Kiffin saying that DJ Pickett was promised the number in order to come to LSU?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos