Three weeks after being dismissed from the LSU football program, embattled cornerback Tyrann Mathieu was back on campus Tuesday, enrolled in classes for the fall semester.
Speaking for the first time since his untimely exit, Mathieu said his focus has shifted from football to his personal journey as a man.
“I’m just focusing on academics right now and really myself,” Mathieu said. “I’m not worried too much about football.”
The St. Augustine product anchored the vaunted Tiger defense last season, leading the Southeastern Conference with six forced fumbles and five recoveries, all the while igniting the struggling Tigers with punt returns for touchdowns in late-season wins over Arkansas and Georgia.
While never confirmed by the LSU Athletics Department, Mathieu’s recent decision to enter drug rehabilitation points to a failed drug test as the impetus to his Aug. 10 dismissal.
LSU coach Les Miles, who has firmly stated Mathieu will not play for the Tigers this season, acknowledged Mathieu’s return in his weekly press luncheon Tuesday.
“I believe that he has really made some difficult decisions for himself that will better him as he goes forward,” Miles said. “We certainly wish him the very best.”
LSU Senior Associate Athletics Director Herb Vincent said in a text message that “LSU is not speculating on Tyrann’s football future at this time.”
Miles, who has repeatedly wished Mathieu luck in his future endeavors but deflected any other questions about his dismissal maintained the same demeanor Tuesday.
“My focus is about my team and preparing game week,” Miles said.
Rebutting, swirling rumors that he would transfer to McNeese State, Mathieu, the 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist and Bednarik Award winner said he’s simply enjoying being back under the stately oaks.
“It feels great [to be back],” Mathieu said. “I’m just enjoying the weather and it feels great to be back.”
Mathieu’s former Tiger teammates were also happy to be reunited with their friend and former teammate.
Sophomore wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said he’s been texting Mathieu “every other day” and lauded his friend’s decision- making in the recent weeks.
“Overcoming adversity is something you have to deal with all your life,” Beckham said. “I think he’s doing a good job with that.”
Fresh off a stint at the Right Step recovery center in Houston, where he was mentored by former NBA star and recovered drug addict John Lucas, Mathieu credited his stay with steering his life in the right direction.
“I’m finished with that treatment phase and it went well,” Mathieu said. “A lot of issues that I was dealing with, I felt like I got those things handled.”
Beckham said Mathieu is the same person he was before his dismissal, but added he is simply “trying to get his head on right.”
The decision made by both Mathieu and his family to return to school and not seek other football opportunities was something Beckham expected from the start.
“[His decision] doesn’t surprise me,” Beckham said. “It was a decision that him and his family had to make and they made the right one.”
Junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo had high hopes for Mathieu beyond the classroom, claiming he “should be all right” and he’d welcome Mathieu back with open arms.
“He’s a guy that’s going to come around,” Mingo said. “Hopefully he’ll be on the team, we’ll see how that goes.”
While he’s come to the realization that football is not in store for the upcoming season, Mathieu said he will continue to train for whatever his future may hold.
First up, according to Mathieu: graduation.
“I’m just kind of working on the self more than the athlete,” Mathieu said. “As of right now, I’m focusing on graduating.”
