Tyrann Mathieu could make LSU football return in 2013

Tyrann Mathieu's return could involve NCAA issues, according to report

Sports Illustrated reports former (and possible future) LSU star Tyrann Mathieu has some things to clear up with the NCAA before his potential return to college football.

Tyrann Mathieu has 'legitimate chance' of LSU return, Les Miles implies

On the Scott Van Pelt show on Tuesday afternoon, LSU Tigers football coach Les Miles implied that dismissed cornerback Tyrann Mathieu could return to the team in 2013. Randy Rosetta, the LSU beat reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, tweeted out a quote from the interview:

LSU coach Les Miles: On Mathieu "There is a very legitimate chance this will have a happy ending." Sounds like he's welcome back to me.

Rosetta went on to tweet his interpretation of what Miles had to say about Mathieu's possible return.

So if I can decipher Les Miles-ese, and I've gotten pretty good at it, Tyrann Mathieu is on his way back to #LSU in 2013.

Mathieu has been enrolled at LSU and seeking drug treatment after being dismissed from the football team back in August after failing a drug test. Mathieu did have the option to transfer and play immediately at an FCS school to prepare for the 2013 NFL Draft, but he opted to stay at LSU.

Tyrann Mathieu Enrolls At LSU, 'Not Worried Too Much About Football'

Former LSU cornerback and Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu was back on campus Tuesday, but only as a student this time. Mathieu was dismissed from the football program three weeks ago, leaving his future in question.

He spoke with The Daily Reveille, the LSU student newspaper, and said he was just focused on academics and graduating. "I'm just focusing on academics right now and really myself," Mathieu said. "I'm not worried too much about football."

This is consistent with reports of him seeking treatment and wanting to remain at LSU, even if he isn't playing football. More from the Daily Reveille report:

"I'm finished with that treatment phase and it went well. A lot of issues that I was dealing with, I felt like I got those things handled."

Les Miles had this to say about Mathieu at his weekly press conference Tuesday:

"I think he's making some quality decisions for himself. I believe he's made some difficult decisions for himself that will better him as he goes forward. We certainly wish him the very best."

Read more on the Tigers at And the Valley Shook. Head over to Team Speed Kills for more on the SEC.

Tyrann Mathieu Will Enroll At LSU, According To Father

Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu will enroll at LSU on Tuesday, according to his father. Mathieu was dismissed from the Tigers football program on Aug. 10 for failing a drug test. Rather than opting to transfer to a Football Championship Subdivision school where he could play football in 2012, Mathieu has instead opted to focus on getting his life in order. That involves entering drug rehab, according to reports.

Related: LSU 41, North Texas 14: A Viewer's Guide to the Sunday Replay

Mathieu was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011, the most visible star on an LSU team that reached the BCS Championship game. He finished the season with 71 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble returns for touchdowns and two punt returns for touchdowns. It is unknown whether or not a re-dedicated Mathieu might be allowed to return to the LSU football team in 2013.

For more coverage, be sure to visit LSU Tigers blog And The Valley Shook as well as SB Nation's college football hub.

Could Tyrann Mathieu Return To LSU In '13 After Drug Rehab?

With suspended LSU Tigers safety Tyrann Mathieu deciding to enter drug rehab instead of transferring to another school, people have been wondering if the Honey Badger will be able to play for the Tigers in 2013.

Over at our LSU blog And the Valley Shook, it was noted that the LSU administration has been tight lipped about Mathieu possibly rejoining the team next year after sitting the 2012 season out.

It should also be noted that LSU's insistence over the last week of not commenting on Mathieu's future with the football team beyond this season and constant rebuttal of reports that he would never play for LSU again leaves open the possibility that he might one day return to LSU, though that still remains unlikely.

And even if Matthieu is unable to rejoin the team, ATVS hopes that he continues to work to get his life back in order.

I think we'd all like to see a cleaned up Mathieu rejoin the team next year in a great redemption story, but he has decided getting over his personal demons is a bigger priority. We should all wish him nothing but the best and good luck wherever his career takes him.

For more on Tyrann Mathieu and LSU football, please be sure to check out our blog And The Valley Shook along with SBNation.com.

Tyrann Mathieu Will Miss '12 Season, Opts For Rehab, According To Report

Former LSU football star Tyrann Mathieu will remain in a drug rehab center in Houston and not play football at another school this season, according to a report by WVUE, a FOX news affiliate in New Orleans.

The reigning Bednarik Award winner, Mathieu was kicked off of the LSU football team last week for violating team policy.

The WVUE report says former NBA star John Lucas is mentoring Mathieu. Lucas, profiled in this 2011 Sports Illustrated piece, struggled with substance abuse during his career.

LSU head coach Les Miles did not reveal the exact reason why Mathieu was kicked off the team, but this latest report confirms that a failed drug test lead to the cornerback's dismissal from the team.

This latest news is surprising, considering a report surfaced on Monday night saying that Mathieu would announce where he was going to transfer on Wednesday. Mathieu could have transferred to an FCS school and played immediately, helping prepare himself for the 2013 NFL draft.

For more LSU football coverage, head over to And The Valley Shook.

LSU Football: Les Miles Denies Meeting With Tyrann Mathieu

More rumors keep popping up about dismissed LSU Tigers defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. According to an article by Jim Kleinpeter of The Times Picayune, LSU head football coach Les Miles told Mathieu to "move on with his career."

On Wednesday Miles denied the report, according to LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette.

Miles also said that the T-P report of him advising TM "to move on with his career" is not true. @lsufball @lsucoachmiles

— Michael Bonnette (@LSUBonnette) August 15, 2012

If Mathieu ends up playing elsewhere, he should be immediately eligible to play for an FCS school. He has already visited McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., and has reportedly expressed interest in Nicholls State in Thibodaux, La., Jackson State in Mississippi and Prairie View A&M in Texas.

About 20 schools have contacted LSU in hopes of landing the reigning Bednarik Award winner, the school says.

For more on Tyrann Mathieu and LSU football, please be sure to check out our blog And The Valley Shook along with SBNation.com.

No Tyrann Mathieu Transfer Decision Coming Wednesday After All

A decision involving the transfer of former LSU Tigers defensive back Tyrann Mathieu will not be coming this Wednesday, according to ESPN's Joe Schad. The family of Mathieu released a statement saying that the family is trying to heal from the problems that have befallen the defensive back.

Tyrann Mathieu's family says in statement they they are "taking the time to heal." They do not expect football announcement Wednesday.

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 14, 2012

Mathieu has been attempting to find another school where he can play this season at since he was dismissed from the LSU team because of multiple failed drug tests. LSU, however, has not given other schools such as Jackson State and Southern permission to talk to Mathieu. As of now, Mathieu may not play football at all this season.

For more on Tyronn Mathieu and LSU football, please be sure to check out our blog And The Valley Shook along with SBNation.com.

LSU Denied Jackson State, Southern Permission To Talk To Tyrann Mathieu, According To Reports

Tyrann Mathieu, better known as the Honey Badger, is having a hard time finding another football team to play for.

Mathieu was thrown off of the LSU Tigers last week after reportedly failing multiple drug tests. However, Mathieu is still eligible to play college football at the FBS level this season.

According to Travis Downey, Jackson State was denied permission to speak with Mathieu by LSU. In the same vein, the school has also not granted Southern access to Mathieu, per Mike McCall.

The Heisman Trophy finalist reportedly was looking for another opportunity at playing football next year with LSU, but that has been denied, reports ClarionLedger.com.

"He’s permanently ineligible to play football at LSU," said Bo Bahnsen, LSU’s senior associate athletic director for NCAA compliance. "That’s definite. That’s what was said Friday."

Head coach Les Miles reiterated that sentiment in his comments.

"Yeah, he will not be back," Miles said. "Things are spelled out that we can do. I can only tell you that we extended ourselves personally and professionally. We've extended this to the full length of the policy."

For more on Tyronn Mathieu and LSU football, please be sure to check out our blog And The Valley Shook along with SBNation.com.

Tyrann Mathieu 'Permanently Ineligible To Play Football At LSU,' Says LSU Compliance Officer

Louisiana State's compliance officer ended any speculation that recently-dismissed defensive back Tyrann Mathieu could return to the team in 2013.

Per the Shreveport Times, Bo Bahnsen, LSU's senior associate director for NCAA compliance, declared Mathieu "permanently ineligible" at LSU.

Mathieu was dismissed from LSU's team on Friday by Les Miles. Though neither Miles nor school officials can reveal the precise reason for Mathieu's dismissal because of privacy laws, reports have surfaced throughout the last week that Mathieu failed a drug test -- again.

With a return to LSU seemingly impossible, the Honey Badger may very well find himself playing football for McNeese State, where he visited on Friday. Since McNeese State is an FCS school, Mathieu would be eligible to play in 2012 should he transfer.

For the latest on the LSU Tigers, be sure to check out And The Valley Shook as well as the SEC blog, Team Speed Kills.

Can Tyrann Mathieu Stay At LSU? Reports Vary!

Could the dismissal of LSU's 2011 Heisman runner-up Tyrann Mathieu be a temporary status? Could a rehabilitated Mathieu (of mind or body we're not exactly sure) return to the Tigers next season? The initial announcement of Mathieu's severance with LSU sure seemed definitive, but how about some conjecture anyway?

Tyrann Mathieu has not been told there is no possibility he could ever play for the Tigers in 2013; appreciates the "support system" at LSU

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 13, 2012

That's ESPN's Joe Schad, who seemingly took the fact that head coach Les Miles didn't specifically say "never-ever-ever-forever" regarding Mathieu's dismissal as proof positive that there's a small chance he'd return to the team. Not so, says the annoyed local media:

As Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com reports, there's no validity to Tyrann Mathieu returning to #LSU. That page needs to be turned.

— Randy Rosetta (@RandyRosetta) August 13, 2012

Stranger things happen every day in the world of NCAA eligibility, but it's doubtful that in this phase of the process -- Mathieu landing with a new (likely FCS-level) opponent -- that LSU would acknowledge or even leak the possibility of his return in one year, which might severely hurt his chances to sign on with a new school.

In fact, they're telling the Times-Picayune of New Orleans exactly the opposite, and according to that report, Mathieu will announce his destination on Wednesday.

For more on Tyrann Mathieu and the LSU Tigers, check out And The Valley Shook, Team Speed Kills and SB Nation's NCAA football page.

This Is The Last Sentence In The History Of The English Language

Tyrann Mathieu Interested In Staying At LSU, According To Report

According to reports from all over, dismissed LSU star Tyrann Mathieu is looking at transferring to McNeese State. The Cowboys' own coach confirmed a weekend meeting, even risking a minor NCAA violation to make the news public. But he hasn't made the move yet, and this could be the reason why:

According to @schadjoe Tyrann Mathieu has expressed interest sitting out season, staying in class and hoping for return 2 LSU program 2013

— Max Bretos (@mbretosESPN) August 13, 2012

That might be farfetched (Scott Rabalais reports the "matter is far from settled"), as it appears he was booted after again failing a drug test, which resulted in automatic dismissal. But Schad reports Mathieu is interested in paying his own way through school for a year and then returning to the team in 2013.

He hasn't spent his redshirt season yet, so it wouldn't cost him any eligibility anyway. He could still leave for the NFL after his third season on the field, albeit with an additional year's worth of maturing, plus vastly superior coaching and competition compared to what he could find at the FCS level.

It seems like quite a longshot to me, since school rules trump team rules in cases like this (and the word "permanent" tends to imply, you know, permanence), but it would be a cool thing to see.

That word could also indicate Mathieu screwed up even worse than we'd thought:

According to LSU’s handbook, "permanent ineligibility" would mean that after receiving a year suspension, Mathieu failed a fourth drug test.

— John Infante (@John_Infante) August 13, 2012

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For more on Tigers football, visit LSU blog And The Valley Shook, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

LSU Players React To Tyrann Mathieu's Exit: 'We're Deep With Talent'

Tyrann Mathieu's dismissal from the LSU football program for a failed drug test was a shock to the college football community. The Tigers had just been given a No.1 ranking in the release of the initial Coaches Poll, and suddenly they were down a Heisman finalist and inarguably their highest-profile player. His former teammates aren't dwelling on his absence, however. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger told SI.com that the team's expectations remain exactly the same.

"We're going to miss him a lot,'' Mettenberger said of Mathieu, "But we've got to handle this adversity because this team is not a bad team even though we lost one of our best players. ... We have the same goals and we're going to look to achieve all of them.''

LSU had huge shoes to fill in the secondary when Morris Claiborne left for the NFL. With Mathieu gone, the Tigers' pass defense could suddenly become an Achilles' heel if Tharold Simon and freshmen Jalen Mills and Jalen Collins aren't ready to step up. Offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk said the team is challenging the younger players.

"We all took it upon (ourselves) as the leadership of this team to really turn to the back of the (team meeting) room and look at the younger guys and say, `All right, who's going to step up? Who's going to be the next guy that's going to fill in this position?'

"We have things to do this year,'' Dworaczyk continued. "Something we always do here at LSU is, through adversity, we continue to move forward."

For more on Tigers football, visit LSU blog And The Valley Shook, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Tyrann Mathieu Visited McNeese State On Friday, Coach Says

Tyrann Mathieu's alleged visit to McNeese State on Friday, just hours after his dismissal from LSU, now has significant substantiation in the form of McNeese State coach Matt Viator telling the Associated Press as much in a statement.

"I received a call from Tyrann after practice on Friday that he wanted to come and meet with us," said Viator. "We contacted LSU to get permission to talk to him and he arrived on campus later that night. We visited for an hour-and-a-half and then he went back home to New Orleans."

McNeese State doesn't exactly have a golden ticket to the NFL in its pocket, but it's an FCS school where Mathieu would be eligible to play in 2012, and Mathieu is better off playing somewhere than languishing at home for the fall.

McNeese State being in Louisiana might help and hurt Mathieu, though, as the Honey Badger's proximity to folks from New Orleans, where he grew up, was not exactly ideal at LSU.

For more on Tigers football, visit LSU blog And The Valley Shook, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

PHOTO: Tyrann Mathieu, Allegedly Already At McNeese State

2011 Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu was booted from LSU football after violating team rules, reportedly via failing another drug test. To play college football this year, he'll have to drop down a level, due to NCAA transfer rules. He was looking for a new school even before the news broke on Friday, so it would make sense that he might already have one lined up.

Former fellow LSU special teamer Josh Jasper announced later Friday that Mathieu is already gone to McNeese State, with Bruce Feldman reporting the deal could be done soon. Multiple other outlets reported the same thing.

And now, via Reddit, here's an image allegedly showing Mathieu already at the Cowboys' fieldhouse:

McNeese State is in Lake Charles, Louisiana, only about two hours from LSU's campus and three from Mathieu's hometown of New Orleans. You might remember the Cowboys from such troubled defensive back transfers as Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson's last year.

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Tyrann Mathieu Reportedly Looking At Transferring To McNeese State

In a move that would make a whole lot of sense, Tyrann Mathieu is reportedly looking into transferring to McNeese State. Earlier on Friday, Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU football team, reportedly following a failed drug test. It's widely thought that Mathieu will transfer down a level, which would allow him to play right away.

The report comes from Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports.

Following up on the Josh Jasper tweet, Tyrann Mathieu is looking at transferring to McNeese State according to a source.

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) August 10, 2012

And the John Jasper tweet Feldman referenced was as follows:

@tm7_era already transferred to McNeese! Staying in the boot #LA

— Josh Jasper (@JoshJasper30) August 10, 2012

Yeah, that's the punter apparently breaking some news, because this saga wasn't enough.

If Mathieu does end up at McNeese State, not only would he be eligible to play right away, he'd also be staying in Louisiana, which wouldn't be too big of a move for him. One would expect this move to happen sooner rather than later, allowing Mathieu to quickly get on the field and do Honey Badger things.

For more on Tigers football, visit LSU blog And The Valley Shook, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

While we’re here, let’s watch some of the many fine college football videos from SB Nation’s YouTube channel:

Tyrann Mathieu Dismissed Due To Failed Drug Test, According To Reports

Though there have been rumors of a failed drug test -- or multiple failed drug tests -- leading up to Tyrann Mathieu's dismissal from the LSU football team, we still weren't exactly sure why Les Miles sent him packing on Friday. Now though, the Times-Picayne is confirming those rumors, reporting that Mathieu was indeed dismissed due to a failed drug test.

The report cites a source close to Mathieu.

The Honey Badger's days at LSU are done. The Tiger's All American cornerback and Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu has been dismissed from the team because of a failed drug test, a source close to Mathieu said Friday.

It's not a shock at all, as Mathieu was suspended last season for failing a drug test. It's likely that multiple failed drug tests led to the dismissal, which would fall in line with LSU's drug policy.

It remains unknown where Mathieu may transfer, though it's likely he'll move down a level, to FCS, in an effort to play immediately.

For more on Tigers football, visit LSU blog And The Valley Shook, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

While we’re here, let’s watch some of the many fine college football videos from SB Nation’s YouTube channel:

VIDEO: Tyrann Mathieu's Dismissal And What It Means For LSU Football

Tyrann Mathieu Is Gone From LSU, And Now Here's What's Happening

Tyrann Mathieu Booted By LSU: Where Will He Play Now?

Friday, the nation's current most visible college football team, the No. 1 LSU Tigers, announced the dismissal of its most famous player, SEC Defender of the Year and elite return man Tyrann Mathieu. It's for a violation of team rules, which wouldn't be his first, as he was also suspended for a game last year.

Mathieu will have to continue his quest to play in the NFL (he'd already indicated he wanted 2012 to be his last college season) elsewhere, and he won't get to do it at the FBS level. Unless given special clearance by the NCAA, transferring players have to sit out a year if they're making a lateral move.

Ordinarily, this would be the signal for a move to Valdosta State, North Alabama, or any of the other Division II programs that have made their names by providing homes for wayward college football players kicked out by top programs. However, that's assuming a typical case:

If Tyrann Mathieu became ineligible bc of a 3rd failed drug test, he will not be able to play this yr at another NCAA school.

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) August 10, 2012

That would mean dropping all the way to the NAIA level. We'll have to wait and see where he ends up, but Joe Schad reported he'd already begun looking for a new home before the news broke and Les Miles didn't indicate Mathieu would have any specific trouble transferring.

In two seasons, Mathieu has already become one of the better-decorated defenders in the sport's history, showing up as a Heisman finalist in 2011.

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For more on Tigers football, visit LSU blog And The Valley Shook, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

While we’re here, let’s watch some of the many fine college football videos from SB Nation’s YouTube channel:

Tyrann Mathieu Dismissed By LSU Football For Violation

At a rescheduled Friday press conference, LSU announced Tyrann Mathieu is gone for a violation of team rules.

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For more on Tigers football, visit LSU blog And The Valley Shook, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

LSU Football News Of Some Sort Coming Soon

We'll hope LSU's Friday press conference doesn't yield any bad news, but in the meantime, Twitter did a little speculating.

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For more on Tigers football, visit LSU blog And The Valley Shook, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.