MOBILE, Ala. — Troubled former Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu is here for the Senior Bowl this week hoping the NFL can give him a second chance for a football career — and he is drawing interest from the Jets.
Not only is star Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis among the NFL players counseling Mathieu, but the Jets also reportedly had contact with the talented former LSU cornerback and kick returner yesterday — along with the Redskins, Dolphins and several other teams.
Mathieu, a Heisman finalist in 2011 who missed all of last season after being kicked out of the LSU program for substance-abuse problems, isn’t participating in the Senior Bowl, but is on site trying to drum up interest for a shot at the pros.
“I just want to shake some hands, look people in the eyes,” Mathieu told reporters yesterday at the South team’s practice in nearby Fairhope, Ala. “I haven’t scripted any answers to any questions. This is the real Tyrann right now.”
As the interest yesterday showed, NFL teams will definitely kick the tires on an explosive player — albeit an undersized one at 5-feet-9, 174 pounds — who helped lead LSU to the BCS National Championship Game a year ago.
“I think people will be [skeptical], and they have every right to be,” Mathieu said. “Trust takes time, especially when you’ve done a lot of things for people not to be able to trust you.”
Mathieu said Giants cornerback Corey Webster and former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson, now a standout cornerback and kick returner for the Cardinals, also have reached out to offer their advice.
Mathieu, who has been working out in South Florida with Peterson’s father, is still operating under a cloud, even after being booted by LSU. That cloud: marijuana possession charges stemming from an arrest last October.
But Mathieu, who covered up the trademark blond streak on his head with an LSU cap yesterday, is convinced he can bounce back and said the year away has made him realize how much he misses the game.
As a result, Mathieu is ready for any and all tough questions scouts want to throw his way.
“[NFL scouts] are definitely going to be concerned about my off-the-field habits,” Mathieu said. “But it’s definitely something I’ve cleaned up. I’m molding into a smart young man now.”
All it takes is one team, of course, and Mathieu certainly has much to offer if he can successfully kick his addictions and dispense with his legal problems.
Scouts no doubt remember Mathieu’s tremendous 2011 season, when he became a Heisman finalist with five forced fumbles (two of them returned for touchdowns), two interceptions, 71 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks as a sophomore. Mathieu also averaged 17.2 yards per punt return that season, including two TD runbacks.
“It may take two years, it may take five years, it may take until I’m 30 years old for people to start trusting Tyrann again,” Mathieu said. “But the truth is, I’m doing the right things. I’m just looking forward to being a football player.”