LSU dismisses DB Mathieu for rules violation

Updated: August 10, 2012, 1:32 PM ET

ESPN.com news services

BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU has dismissed Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu from its football program for violating school and team rules.

A source told ESPN's Joe Schad on Friday that Mathieu has been looking for a new school to play for this season.

Last season Mathieu was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's best defensive player.

The junior defensive back nicknamed Honey Badger was the surprising Heisman Trophy candidate last season as the Tigers won the Southeastern Conference championship and reached the BCS title game. LSU lost the championship 21-0 to Alabama.

At a news conference Friday, coach Les Miles would not specify the reason Mathieu was kicked off the team.

LSU enters this season ranked No. 1 in the coaches' poll. The AP college football poll will be released Aug. 18. The Tigers opened preseason camp last week.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.