• Tweet

• Tweet

Former LSU defensive back and return man, Tyrann Mathieu, has stated that he will participate in the 2013 NFL Combine (takes place between February 23-26). Mathieu was dismissed from LSU’s football team in August of 2012 due to violation of team rules and repeated drug test failures. His initial goal was to regroup and return to the team for the 2013 season. However, just two months later, he was arrested for possession of Marijuana.

Before Mathieu got in all this trouble, he was one of the top players in college football. He probably would have been in the Heisman Trophy conversation as a Junior. I believe if the violations didn’t occur, he would be enrolling in the draft and forgoing his senior year anyway. But now that all of this HAS happened, how much stock do you put in Tyrann Mathieu?

Hypothetically, lets say that Mathieu comes into the Combine in the best shape of his life. I mean he out-jumps everyone, runs a 4.3 forty, and just tears it up. He’s shaking hands, saying all the right things, “yes sir, no sir,” and tests completely drug-free. What’s the highest you think he should go in the draft?

It’s definitely a gamble either way…this kid was given several chances and still couldn’t get it right. What makes now any different? I don’t think Mathieu should be taken any earlier than the 4th or 5th round. I believe teams will look at him more as a valuable special teams man, rather than relying on him as a staple on defense. At least at first. Hopefully, Mathieu will prove us all wrong and turn himself around. Maybe he already has…he just has to prove it.

Image Sources: cajunradio.com, lostlettermen.com, rapsandrings.com

Tyrann Mathieu’s Draft Stock