Tyrann Mathieu LSU career: Revisiting star's time in college, from Heisman Trophy finalist to drug test dismissal

The Honey Badger looms ample successful Baton Rouge, Louisiana, location of LSU.

The animal isn't indigenous to nan Southeastern United States. But it became a namesake for 1 of nan region's astir talented gridiron talents successful caller memory, Tyrann Mathieu.

At his pomp, Mathieu was a titan successful nan secondary, known for his hard-hitting approach, soft hands and awesome range. He was a three-time first-team All-Pro, one-time second-team All-Pro, All-2010s squad personnel and Super Bowl champion.

But earlier he reached nan sport's highest stage, he was a Tiger. And he was a damned bully 1 astatine that, moreover if his clip successful nan spotlight was fleeting.

MORE: How Tyrann Mathieu landed iconic 'Honey Badger' nickname

With that, here's a look backmost astatine Mathieu's celebrated — and infamous — assemblage career.

Tyrann Mathieu LSU career

Mathieu only lasted 2 seasons successful Baton Rouge. But they were glorious campaigns, caked successful golden and silver.

A erstwhile standout astatine St. Augustine successful adjacent New Orleans, Mathieu was a reasonably unheralded talent, astatine slightest compared to different members of LSU's 2010 recruiting class. His tallness seemed a contributing facet — a 5-9 cornerback, location seemed to beryllium a ceiling connected Mathieu's potential.

That didn't extremity then-Tigers caput coach Les Miles from inserting Mathieu into his protect setup arsenic a freshman. Mathieu played 13 games, garnering plaudits for his exploits successful nickelback. Mathieu was noted for his shot skills, collecting 2 interceptions while forcing a then-school grounds 5 fumbles. He was nan team's leader successful walk deflections (seven) contempt not seeing nan section connected each down.

A glistening showing astatine nan Cotton Bowl — Mathieu tallied 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception and a sack against Texas A&M — group nan shape for a standout sophomore season.

Named a full-time starter up of nan season, nan "Honey Badger" became 1 of nan sport's astir talked-about talents successful his 2nd twelvemonth connected campus. He tallied much tackles (76), much walk deflections (nine), much forced fumbles (six) and much fumble recoveries (five) than he did arsenic a freshman. He tacked connected 2 fumble recoveries for touchdowns and 2 punt returns for touchdowns for bully measure, cementing his position arsenic assemblage football's top ballhawk.

Mathieu was summarily rewarded for his efforts, capturing nan Bednarik Award arsenic assemblage football's champion defender while being named a statement first-team All-American. He vanished 5th successful Heisman voting.

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A one-game suspension notwithstanding, Mathieu's 2nd twelvemonth successful Baton Rouge went arsenic bully arsenic 1 could hope. The early seemed agleam for nan then-20-year-old.

Why was Tyrann Mathieu dismissed from LSU?

Three weeks earlier nan commencement of nan 2012 season, Mathieu was dismissed from nan program. Miles said Mathieu violated squad rules, pinch news outlets reporting that Mathieu's suspension stemmed from failing aggregate supplier tests.

"We extended ourselves personally and professionally to him," Miles said, per ESPN. "He has really improved and has a chance to return immoderate steps arsenic a person.

"I complied and agreed that it was right. We'll miss nan guy. The shot team's sewage to spell on. We'll person to capable nan void."

Mathieu disenrolled from LSU soon aft his dismissal was announced. He concisely disenrolled, checking himself into a Houston-based betterment session tally by erstwhile NBA subordinate John Lucas. He returned to Baton Rouge for his classes astatine nan commencement of Sept. 2012.

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"(Returning) was a beautiful easy determination for me," Mathieu said. "I had to travel backmost and decorativeness what I started. The squad intends a batch to me, nan staff, nan diversion department, nan teachers I formed a narration with. All of that played a domiciled successful my determination to travel backmost and do it nan correct measurement this time."

In Oct. 2012, Mathieu and 3 teammates were arrested and charged pinch possession of marijuana. The apprehension efficaciously ended Mathieu's chances to landing backmost connected LSU's roster. He declared for nan NFL Draft successful Nov. 2012. The Cardinals selected him successful nan 3rd information (No. 69 overall) successful nan 2013 NFL Draft.

Tyrann Mathieu assemblage stats