Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu faces more trouble.
According to WAFB-TV and the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Mathieu and three other former LSU football players were arrested Thursday in Baton Rouge, La., on drug-related charges.
Mathieu and former quarterback Jordan Jefferson face marijuana-possession charges, and former defensive back Karnell Hatcher faces a second-offense marijuana-possession charge, according to the reports. Former defensive back Derrick Bryant reportedly faces a charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Mathieu, a 20-year-old nicknamed “Honey Badger,” was dismissed from the team in August, reportedly for failing multiple drugs tests. He has been in a rehab program administered by former NBA player John Lucas. Mathieu previously has expressed an interest in returning to the LSU team, but it was uncertain whether coach Les Miles would reinstate him.
According to Baton Rouge police, officers were responding to a call about an man attempted to get through a security gate at an apartment complex. Mathieu answered a knock on the door.
“Officers immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana and obtained consent from Mathieu to search the apartment,” a police news release read, WAFB-TV reported. “Inside they found three other men, including the one who had allegedly tried to force his way through the gate. He was identified as Jordan Jefferson.”
The Times-Picayune reported that police found a marijuana grinder, digital scale and 10 bags of high grade marijuana — seven of the bags in Bryant’s bookbag.
Jefferson quarterbacked LSU to the BCS national championship game last season, helping the Tigers beat Georgia in the SEC title game. LSU lost to Alabama for the national title.
Jefferson, 22, was in training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this summer. Most recently, he was on the roster of the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes.
As a sophomore for LSU last season, Mathieu averaged 15.6 yards on punt returns, taking two back for touchdowns. He also scored twice on fumble returns, and he made two interceptions. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder tied for the team lead with 75 tackles.
Mathieu would be eligible to enter the NFL Draft next year.