Tyrann Mathieu Dismissal: Honey Badger's Flirtation with McNeese St. Makes Sense

The college football world was stunned on Friday when LSU head coach Les Miles announced that cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy finalist from last season, had been dismissed from the Tigers for violation of team rules.

The rule that Mathieu violated, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, was a failed drug test.

Finding a team for the 2012 season won't be an issue for the "Honey Badger."

Matt Viator, head coach of the McNeese State Cowboys, confirmed to the Associated Press that he met with Mathieu on Friday and that no decision was made. 

Mathieu would be a good fit at McNeese State.

It's an FCS school, which means that he would be eligible immediately. Plus, they are a relative power in the Southland Conference. The Cowboys have finished in the top three of the Southland Conference in five of the last six seasons, and won back-to-back titles in 2006 and '07.

The Cowboys were picked fourth in the Southland Conference this season at the conference's annual media day by the coaches and sports information directors.

Not exactly high praise this season, but having a Heisman Trophy finalist on the squad would certainly help those prognostications.

Plus, with the school being located in Lake Charles, La., Mathieu would be near his hometown of New Orleans.

McNeese State is no stranger to this type of situation. The Cowboys took on former Tennessee defensive back Janzen Jackson last summer after he was dismissed by Tennessee.

Wherever he winds up, the spotlight will be on Mathieu and his team throughout the 2012 season—which will be a departure from the norm for a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school.

McNeese State provides a chance to win and a setting and location that Mathieu is comfortable with.

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