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

The Honey Badger looms large in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, home of LSU.

The animal isn't indigenous to the Southeastern United States. But it became a namesake for one of the region's most gifted gridiron talents in recent memory, Tyrann Mathieu.

At his pomp, Mathieu was a titan in the secondary, known for his hard-hitting approach, soft hands and impressive range. He was a three-time first-team All-Pro, one-time second-team All-Pro, All-2010s team member and Super Bowl champion.

But before he reached the sport's highest stage, he was a Tiger. And he was a damned good one at that, even if his time in the spotlight was fleeting.

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With that, here's a look back at Mathieu's famous — and infamous — college career.

Tyrann Mathieu LSU career

Mathieu only lasted two seasons in Baton Rouge. But they were glorious campaigns, caked in gold and silver.

A former standout at St. Augustine in nearby New Orleans, Mathieu was a fairly unheralded talent, at least compared to other members of LSU's 2010 recruiting class. His height seemed a contributing factor — a 5-9 cornerback, there seemed to be a ceiling on Mathieu's potential.

That didn't stop then-Tigers head coach Les Miles from inserting Mathieu into his defensive setup as a freshman. Mathieu played 13 games, garnering plaudits for his exploits in nickelback. Mathieu was noted for his ball skills, collecting two interceptions while forcing a then-school record five fumbles. He was the team's leader in pass deflections (seven) despite not seeing the field on every down.

A glistening showing at the Cotton Bowl — Mathieu tallied two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception and a sack against Texas A&M — set the stage for a standout sophomore season.

Named a full-time starter ahead of the season, the "Honey Badger" became one of the sport's most talked-about talents in his second year on campus. He tallied more tackles (76), more pass deflections (nine), more forced fumbles (six) and more fumble recoveries (five) than he did as a freshman. He tacked on two fumble recoveries for touchdowns and two punt returns for touchdowns for good measure, cementing his status as college football's greatest ballhawk.

Mathieu was summarily rewarded for his efforts, capturing the Bednarik Award as college football's best defender while being named a consensus first-team All-American. He finished fifth in Heisman voting.

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A one-game suspension notwithstanding, Mathieu's second year in Baton Rouge went as good as one could hope. The future seemed bright for the then-20-year-old.

Why was Tyrann Mathieu dismissed from LSU?

Three weeks before the start of the 2012 season, Mathieu was dismissed from the program. Miles said Mathieu violated team rules, with news outlets reporting that Mathieu's suspension stemmed from failing multiple drug tests.

"We extended ourselves personally and professionally to him," Miles said, per ESPN. "He has really improved and has a chance to take some steps as a person.

"I complied and agreed that it was right. We'll miss the guy. The football team's got to go on. We'll have to fill the void."

Mathieu disenrolled from LSU shortly after his dismissal was announced. He briefly disenrolled, checking himself into a Houston-based recovery clinic run by former NBA player John Lucas. He returned to Baton Rouge for his classes at the start of Sept. 2012.

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"(Returning) was a pretty easy decision for me," Mathieu said. "I had to come back and finish what I started. The team means a lot to me, the staff, the athletic department, the teachers I formed a relationship with. All of that played a role in my decision to come back and do it the right way this time."

In Oct. 2012, Mathieu and three teammates were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. The arrest effectively ended Mathieu's chances to landing back on LSU's roster. He declared for the NFL Draft in Nov. 2012. The Cardinals selected him in the third round (No. 69 overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Tyrann Mathieu college stats