Tyrann Mathieu Draft Stock Rising at NFL Combine

"Honey Badger" don’t care. But Tyrann Mathieu has made an effort to show his commitment to football during the NFL Scouting Combine.

The former LSU cornerback and Heisman Trophy finalist has put his old persona behind him and attempted a fresh start after being suspended for the 2012 season due to various failed drug tests and arrests.

“My best friend right now is honesty,” said Mathieu. “I’m trying to be as open as possible because I want to rebuild that trust.”

The 5’9”, 186-pound nickelback and return specialist ran a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash and posted a 34” vertical leap. Those were more than respectable numbers following a disappointing four-rep effort on the 225-pound bench press — which tied for worst among defensive backs.

Mathieu is still rocking his bleach-blonde Mohawk, and he wants NFL decision makers to know he is still the same playmaker who had six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, two INTs and two punt return TDs as a Bednarik Award-winning, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-America cornerback and return specialist as a sophomore at LSU.

At the same time, he wants to make it clear that he’s not the same person he was when he was the seemingly too-big-to-fail “Honey Badger” character. He’s a changed man.

“I’ve been to rehab. I’ve been to counseling. I have a sponsor,” said Mathieu. “I’m surrounding myself with people who want to do what I want to do, which is be a football player. To go back down that road? Not a chance in the world. Not a chance in this lifetime.

“I’ve got to be the best person that Tyrann can be.”