Updated 9/4 @ 5:43 p.m. ET: Les Miles confirmed to media on Tuesday that cornerback Tyrann Mathieu had enrolled at LSU. Mathieu himself also confirmed the news to LSU’s student paper, The Daily Reveille, that he was back in class.
“I’m just focusing on academics right now and really myself,” Mathieu said. “I’m not worried too much about football.
“It feels great [to be back].”
“I think he’s making some quality decisions for himself,” Miles said. “My focus is about my team and preparing game week. ... We certainly wish (Mathieu) the very best.”
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The saga that is Tyrann Mathieu will reportedly take its next twist Tuesday. And, as has been speculated, it’ll lead him back to the LSU campus.
Whether that will ultimately lead him back to the LSU football program very much remains to be seen.
WVUE-TV first reported that Mathieu will enroll at LSU Tuesday, nearly four weeks after he was dismissed from the Tigers for what turned out to be multiple violations of the school’s substance abuse policy for athletes. Mathieu’s father subsequently confirmed to ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad that his adoptive son will indeed be enrolling at LSU.
The impact Hurricane Isaac had on the Gulf Coast played a role in Mathieu being able to enroll even as the calendar had flipped to September.
Mathieu will not be eligible to play football for the Tigers in 2012 -- and won’t play anywhere else, either -- although LSU’s policy would allow for reinstatement after one year, giving the corner the opportunity to play for the Tigers in 2013. Whether Mathieu would seek reinstatement, or if the program would be open to such a consideration, is unclear.
Mathieu would also be eligible for early entry to the NFL draft in April of next year as he would be three years removed from high school.
Following his dismissal, the 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist entered a substance abuse program in Houston. He has reportedly completed two of the three stages involved in the program; the third stage will be completed while he’s a student.