Report: LSU's Mathieu wants to stay, play next season
If LSU is willing to forgive, cornerback Tyrann Mathieu can forget.
Mathieu, dismissed for violating team policy, has considered transferring to an FCS school to play immediately, but is reportedly open to sitting out 2012 and returning to play for the Tigers next season.
ESPN reported Mathieu would accept the one-year suspension, remain enrolled and attend classes in hopes of being allowed to play at LSU in 2013.
Mathieu visited McNeese State but Jackson State, a rumored option, told USA Today it had not heard from Mathieu as of Monday morning.
Mathieu, the top defensive player in the nation last season, was a force for a team that went undefeated during the regular season. Multiple reports have said that the Heisman Trophy finalist failed a drug test. The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported a player would likely need to fail three or four drug tests to be kicked off the team based on the school's disciplinary policy process.
If reports of a failed drug test are true, Mathieu couldn't play at another NCAA university, though he would be eligible to enter the 2013 NFL draft.
"This is a very difficult day for our team," Miles said last week. "We lose a quality person, teammate and contributor to the program. However, with that being said, we have a standard that our players are held to and when that standard is not met, there are consequences.
"It's hard because we all love Tyrann. We will do what we can as coaches, teammates, and friends to get him on a path where he can have success. We are going to miss him."
Mathieu played in 26 games in two years for the Tigers, and compiled 133 total tackles and four interceptions. He also forced 11 fumbles, which ranks first in school history and seventh in NCAA history, and recovered eight fumbles.
