WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, who was kicked off the team for violating policies last week, could possibly stay at the school and try to get back on the team in 2013, according to ESPN.com.

According to the website, Mathieu had expressed interest in trying to work out things with LSU after he was dismissed from the team for failing substance-abuse tests.

Being reinstated on the team would require approval from a number of different people, including university administration and head coach Les Miles, but ESPN says the option "is being discussed."

On Friday, Athletic Director Joe Alleva made it sound like any such discussion would be short-lived.

"Being an athlete is a privilege, and unfortunately, he (Mathieu) doesn't have that privilege here anymore," Alleva said. "At LSU, his opportunity is taken away for good."

Alleva was out of town today, but other LSU officials who spoke to News 2 said the possibility did remain that Mathieu could get another shot at joining the team if he remains at the school. Mathieu was not kicked out of the university for the violation, but he would have to pay his own tuition and other costs since any football scholarships would be gone now that he's off the team.

Transferring to another school is still an option for Mathieu, as is declaring early for the NFL draft. ESPN reported that Mathieu has told people close to him that the NFL isn't a priority, however.