After being dismissed by LSU for the 2012 season, All-American cornerback Tyrann Mathieu will reportedly sit out the season entirely, and instead remain in a drug rehab center in Houston, according to a report from WVUE, the FOX affiliate in New Orleans.
The WVUE report says that former NBA star John Lucas is acting as a daily mentor for Mathieu. Lucas had struggles with substance abuse of his own during his playing career, voluntarily entering into anti-drug and anti-alcohol treatment to stay in the NBA.
After a successful rehabilitation, Lucas eventually became a head coach in the NBA and has acted as a mentor for troubled athletes, including former LSU and Oakland Raiders quarterback, JaMarcus Russell.
Mathieu had the option to transfer to an FCS or lower level school and play in the 2012 season to prepare for entry to the 2013 NFL Draft, but will still have two more years of eligibility at the beginning of the 2013 season. LSU has said the reigning Bednarik Award winner is permanently ineligible at the school.
For the latest on the LSU Tigers, be sure to check out And The Valley Shook as well as the SEC blog, Team Speed Kills.