Tyrann Mathieu ineligible for return to LSU Tigers, according to report

Tyrann Mathieu is not eligible to return to LSU after being kicked off the football team, despite earlier reports suggesting he might try to come back in 2013. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Tyrann Mathieu is ineligible to return to play for LSU at any point in the future, despite earlier reports saying he could sit out this season and play for the Tigers in 2013.

LSU senior associate athletic director for NCAA compliance Bo Bahnsen told Gannett Louisiana late Monday that Mathieu did not have the option to play for the Tigers again, disputing an earlier ESPN.com report that said he hoped for a 2013 comeback with the program.

"He's permanently ineligible to play football at LSU,"  Bahnsen said. "That's definite. That's what was said Friday."

Mathieu was dismissed from the team last Friday due to failed substance-abuse tests, but he was not kicked out of the university. ESPN's Joe Schad reported that the "heartbroken" Mathieu was interested in continuing his education at LSU and possibly coming back on the football field in 2013.

Bahnsen confirmed that Mathieu can register for classes, because he was not removed from school. From the Gannett Louisiana report:

"He would have to pay his own way, but he can go to class here and graduate," Bahnsen said.

As far as Mathieu thinking he can possibly return to the football team in 2013 Bahnsen said, "He's not accurate if he thinks that."