CBSSports.com: LSU's Tyrann Mathieu in Houston drug rehab center battling "issues"

LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu smiles and gestures during media day for the BCS championship football game at the Superdome in New Orleans Jan. 6, 2012. / AP Photo

This story originally appeared on CBSSports.com.

(CBS News) Tyrann Mathieu is at a Houston drug rehab treatment center, a source close to Mathieu confirmed to CBSSports.com Friday morning.

FOX8 in Louisiana was the first to report the news that the LSU star will remain at the Right Step recovery center in Houston run by former NBA player John Lucas, instead of returning to classes at LSU or any other college to play football this fall.

LSU's Mathieu kicked off team for breaking rules

Lucas reached out to Mathieu after last Friday's press conference at LSU by coach Les Miles announcing the Tiger standout's departure from the program. Mathieu, according to the source, flew to Houston on Sunday.

"They have the finest of everything there," the source said of the Houston rehab center. "Tyrann realizes he has to resolve his issue. The desire is for him to get his life right, to get his life together. He needed counseling. He needed help. If he went somewhere else just to go play football, his problems would resurface. He understood that 'The Honey Badger persona' couldn't last living that life.

"This is really about this child's life. Football's not the important thing right now. That's the easy part for him."

The source said Mathieu's issue was with marijuana, not any other drug. There was also fear among those close to Mathieu that he might move on to heavier drugs.

Eventually, the hope is that once Mathieu is ready to leave the rehab center, he will re-enroll at LSU and the player could return to the Tigers team in 2013.