Tyrann Mathieu among 4 former LSU players nabbed in drug arrest

Baton Rouge, LA (Sports Network) - Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and three other ex-Tiger football players were arrested on drug possession charges Thursday following an apartment search conducted by Baton Rouge police.

Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy finalist last year who was kicked off the LSU team in August for repeated violations of the school's substance abuse policy, was charged with simple possession of marijuana following the search of his residence.

A release issued by the Baton Rouge Police Department stated the officers also found a marijuana grinder, a digital scale and 10 bags of high-grade marijuana. Seven of the bags were located in a backpack belonging to former Tigers defensive back Derrick Bryant, who was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Also arrested was Jordan Jefferson, a three-year starter at quarterback for the Tigers whose eligibility had expired after last season, and former linebacker Karnell Hatcher. Both were cited with simple possession of marijuana, with Hatcher booked as a second offender.

Mathieu had re-enrolled at LSU this fall after completing the first two stages of rehabilitation at the Right Step recovery center in Houston, where he was being mentored by former NBA player and coach John Lucas, with the intention to rejoin the football program next season. However, Thursday's arrest has likely compromised those plans.

The 20-year-old would be eligible to enter the 2013 NFL Draft and still has two years of college eligibility remaining.

According to the report, police had been summoned to Mathieu's apartment by a maintenance worker at the complex who had engaged in a dispute with Jefferson after the ex-quarterback had attempted to force his way through a security gate.