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07:12 PM ET 02.24 | Of the many stories heading into the NFL Draft, one surrounds a familiar theme with a once-recognizable face. The tale of the star athlete who succumb to a life of drugs and ruined his NFL career in the process isn't new, but in 2013, ex-LSU Tigers star Tyrann Mathieu is the face of the story and he's admitting that his foolish past has cost him millions of dollars. The former All-American was kicked off LSU's football team this year before the season started and spiraled out of control. Mathieu's drug habit was the issue that caused him to be banned from playing football and was the reason he dropped out of school to attend rehab. However in October, months after apologizing and attending rehab, Mathieu was arrested for possession of marijuana and it appeared as though he'd never get his act together. Despite all the hardships, Mathieu declared for the NFL Draft and told scouts that he hasn't used pot or drugs of any kind since his arrest in October 2012. Mathieu said that he lost "millions" due to his drug use, not because he was spending that much but because his use derailed what could have been a college career that led to a first-round draft selection. Right now, Mathieu is projected as a mid-third round pick.

Tyrann Mathieu, Getty Images/Chris Graythen

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February 25, 2013 04:37 AM ET

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Respect your privileges, don't abuse it and good luck in the future.

KEMOSABE

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February 25, 2013 06:58 AM ET

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My guess is he's a changed man until his first big contract.

(Un)mautre

Inferiority Complex Group, FN

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February 25, 2013 07:57 AM ET

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Hope he's got his act together... Because there's no question about his talent.

Otis B. Driftwood

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February 25, 2013 08:17 AM ET

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Show us, don't tell us.

Melman

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February 25, 2013 08:34 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 06:58 AM ET 02.25 by (Un)mautre

My guess is he's a changed man until his first big contract.

I hate to banish this guy to the dungeon but I think you're right. He'll be perfect until he's flush with cash. It's at that point he breaks down. I sure hope not.

UtahFriday

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February 25, 2013 08:53 AM ET

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If he can separate himself from the environment and the people he grew up with, he has a chance to start over. He's not going to make it if he's got one foot in the NFL and the other foot in his old life. Walk away and don't look back.

SouthernBlueFan

Auburn , AL

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February 25, 2013 09:40 AM ET

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He'll never be mother theresa, but I don't think he'll let it get that bad again

RustyBawl

Baltimore, MD

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February 25, 2013 09:45 AM ET

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It's funny that he mentions the money. That should tell you what he's really after. It'll be interesting to see what happens after he gets it. However, if he's drafted in the 3rd or 4th round, he won't be making big money. He'll have to prove himself in the first contract before he gets any big money. I'd have to agree with the guy who said he was a changed man until he gets his first big contract. The NFL is full of people who went out of control after their first big contract. Here's another candidate for that list.

I also don' t think he will be able to separate himself from the people who helped him get into this situation in the first place. he only changed when he realized he lost money. Once he gets the money, it'll be the same old same old.

whatmeworry

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February 25, 2013 10:07 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:34 AM ET 02.25 by UtahFriday

I hate to banish this guy to the dungeon but I think you're right. He'll be perfect until he's flush with cash. It's at that point he breaks down. I sure hope not.

If he does get signed, it will be an incentive-laden contract. I don't see any team going all-in on this guy without trying to protect themselves in some way.

Melman

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February 25, 2013 10:34 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:17 AM ET 02.25 by Melman

Show us, don't tell us.

Exactly--forget the words, watch the behavior.

SportsFun

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February 25, 2013 12:57 PM ET

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It's not a particularly great draft, so why not take a flyer on a player who would have finished in the top 3 for Heisman and would have been a bonified top 10 if not top 5 pick had need not f'ed up? Make it a performance and conduct laden contract and take a shot at a player who could be a impact player from day #1.

It would have to be a team that is fairly solid to start with with a lot of veteran leadership in the locker room, but you could strike gold. It has tobetter than drafting the "can't miss" first rounder who turns out to be a bust.