Tyrann Mathieu Shows off Tattoos and Talks Draft with ESPN the Magazine

Former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu is one of the most intriguing personalities to enter the 2013 NFL draft. From his colorful tattoos to his tumultuous past, the young man is set to captivate us all. 

ESPN the Magazine's Eli Saslow met with Mathieu ahead of Thursday's first round and spoke with an athlete who has every last bit of the world in front of him, if a team is just willing to give him a chance. 

A draft of guards, tackles and lineman is proving to be one of the more fluid in recent years. There is no certainty to where players will rise or fall in the draft, and there seems to be a shortage of household names as in prior iterations. 

With iconic hair and a multitude of tattoos, Mathieu has the face you remember and the image that stays with a fan. 

For those who have never taken in all the tats, ESPN the Magazine captured the ever-growing amount of ink on the NFL hopeful. 

The most telling might be the tattoos Mathieu has on his left arm and lower legs. On the arm, there is simply the word "King" followed by a huge star, a term and symbol the cornerback is certainly working hard to live up to. 

On the legs, Saslow sums up a hidden meaning with, "He walks on the edge of the water and lets the waves crash against the partial tattoos of lightning bolts and Bible verses on his legs, which he started at LSU but left unfinished, like so much else."

NFL.com notes the collegiate standout has done everything in his power to convince teams he has matured enough to take the next step in his career. 

Released last year from LSU due to substance-abuse issues, the 20-year-old, who projects by some as a mid-round pick, passed a combine drug test in February. 

The report by Saslow presents a young man working hard to reach his dream and finish the task at hand, despite very difficult personal tumult. 

Mathieu is just looking for a second chance. Perhaps that will give him the perfect opportunity to finish those tattoos.

Hit me up on Twitter: Follow @gabezal