Former LSU football star Tyrann Mathieu told an NFL assistant he failed at least 10 drug tests at LSU, according to a column by USA Today’s Jarrett Bell.
“I quit counting at 10,” said Mathieu, according to the unnamed assistant. “I really don’t know.”
When Mathieu was first kicked off the team in Aug. 2012, the number of failed drug tests was believed to only be three.
LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette issued a statement saying the school denies the charges.
Pat Lawlor — Mathieu’s agent — also disputed the charge, claiming that the release of information from a private meeting was, “extremely disappointing”.
If the claims are true, it shows a program with zero regard for players using illegal substances and sheds light on what has been an era of poorly-disciplined teams in the past few years.
“If he flunked 10 tests before they suspended him, it shows he got no kind of help,” the coach said.
Mathieu isn’t the only former LSU star to cause a controversy during the pre-draft progress. Sam Montgomery caused waves during his pre-combine interview when he claimed to take off games against lesser opponents and made bets with teammates over performances in games.
“You know, some weeks when we didn’t have to play the harder teams, there were some times when effort was not needed,” Montgomery said, via Pro Football Talk. “But when we had the big boys coming in, the [Alabamas] or the South Carolinas, I grabbed close to those guys and went all out.
According to draftinsider.com, the LSU coaching staff has been highly critical of Montgomery’s attitude and work ethic to NFL coaches and scouts who call asking about the defensive end.
Former LSU sophomore corner back Tyrann Mathieu (7) runs a route Wednesday, March 27, 2013 during Pro Day at Football Operations Center.
