BATON ROUGE — Actions speak louder than words, and LSU made its stance crystal clear during Saturday's season opener against Clemson.
Amid a lightning delay at Tiger Stadium, the school rolled out its signature “NFLSU” hype video, a montage celebrating the program's pipeline to the pros. But sharp-eyed fans noticed a glaring omission: Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman winner and current Washington Commanders star, was nowhere to be found.
Preston Guy, an LSU football editor, was quick to point it out on social media, posting, “No Jayden Daniels on #LSU’s #NFLSU video.” Another account echoed the sentiment with a cheeky “Never heard of em!”
The snub comes after Daniels issued a cease-and-desist order against his alma mater earlier this summer, demanding the school stop using his name, image and likeness without proper authorization. The legal move has soured relations between the Tigers and one of their most decorated recent players.
LSU fans, for their part, seemed fully on board with the omission. Social media lit up with reactions ranging from approval to outright hostility.
“Not a surprise at this point. Isn’t this basically what he told the school he wanted to happen?” one user wrote.
“Smart. He would have been booed,” added another.
“I was hoping they would leave it so we could hear the boos,” a third chimed in.
Others were less diplomatic, with one fan writing, “That’s what he wanted so big whoop,” and another adding, “He ain’t bigger than the brand. Needs to grow up and stop listening to his mom.”
The tension has been brewing for weeks. Reports have suggested Daniels even sought to have his Heisman Trophy removed from campus, a demand that has fueled fan backlash. The quarterback has also shut down questions about the jersey feud, adding another layer to the drama.
Daniels' two seasons at LSU were nothing short of spectacular. In 2023, he completed 72.2% of his passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns in just 12 games, leading the SEC in scoring and efficiency. He added 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, pacing the nation in yards per carry. That performance earned him the Heisman and made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But for now, LSU seems content to let his legacy speak for itself — without actively promoting it. The omission from the NFLSU video is a quiet but powerful reminder that the school is moving on, even if the relationship remains fractured.
As the season unfolds, it’s clear this saga is far from over. Whether it’s commentary from pundits or measured takes from former Tigers, the story continues to evolve. For now, LSU’s Week 1 snub was the latest shot in a very public dispute.
