LSU sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu calls Patrick Peterson his “big bro.”
As a true freshman, Mathieu backed Peterson at the cornerback spot, and the two developed a closeness that now extends to their jersey number.
Mathieu asked Peterson before spring practice if he could wear his No. 7 jersey now that Peterson is moving on to the NFL. Peterson leaves LSU as Thorpe and Bednarik Award winner and a projected top-five pick in the NFL draft, and he said he happily passed the No. 7 on to his protege.
“I tell Tyrann he’s going to do more and better things than what I did when I was here,” Peterson said. “And he’s starting at such a young age, so he’s definitely got a chance to do better than Patrick Peterson. He’s going to represent No. 7 well.”
Mathieu came to LSU in 2010 as the No. 13-ranked cornerback in the nation and the No. 9 prospect in Louisiana by Rivals.com.
He played in 12 games last season, with one start against Louisiana-Monroe, and finished fourth on the team with 57 tackles en route to earning Freshman All-Southeastern Conference and Rivals First-Team Freshman All-America honors.
Mathieu said he and Peterson both had high expectations for his freshman season, even though Mathieu flew under the radar as a recruit from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans.
“[Peterson] really took me under his wing when I got here as a true freshman during the summer,” Mathieu said. “He’s pushed me to be better than him. Getting his number is a real gift.”
Peterson told Mathieu he wants the secondary he’s leaving behind to form their own legacy.
“I don’t want those guys to live in my shadow,” Peterson said. “They’re like my brothers.”
Mathieu begins spring practice this season as a starter in the secondary alongside junior cornerback Morris Claiborne. He said he has been largely at the cornerback spot, and he’ll also be featured in nickel packages once practices get rolling.
His roommate is fellow sophomore defender Eric Reid, a safety from Dutchtown High School in Geismar. Reid said Mathieu’s confidence and memory are his biggest assets on the football field.
“He’s definitely got confidence out of this world,” Reid said. “We knew that the summer before the season started as soon as we got here and did 7-on-7s. He’s the perfect [defensive back] as far as memory because if he messes up, he’s got that amnesia.”
Mathieu ended his freshman campaign with a bang Jan. 7 in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M. He was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player after recording one interception, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and seven tackles, including a sack.
Mathieu attributed his effective play to his quick instincts, and he said his role on the team already feels different as a starter.
“Right now I’m learning that being a starter is a challenge,” Mathieu said. “Your job gets harder on and off the field. You have to be a leader first and pull guys along. You just can’t push guys to the side if they don’t know certain things.”
Reid also had an interception in the Cotton Bowl and said the defense is well aware of the shoes they have to fill with Peterson’s departure. But with a year of experience under their belts, Reid said he and Mathieu are already focusing on improving their alignments.
“The expectations are so high, but we can do it,” Reid said. “Last year we knew where to be, but now we know how to anticipate different things based on formations and receivers, the tricks veterans know.”
____
contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]