INDIANAPOLIS -- Tyrann Mathieu isn't a first-round prospect for the 2013 NFL Draft, but he got a first-round press conference because of his off-field issues. And the former LSU standout defensive back did a quality job owning up to his issues.

Mathieu, who's had numerous run-ins related to marijuana, said he's been in rehab and is currently involved in a drug rehabilitation program.

"I've been to rehab. I have counseling. I have a sponsor," Mathieu said.

Asked specifically about the last time he ingested an illegal substance, Mathieu nailed a specific date, which, at least on its face, has to be taken as a good sign.

"October 26, 2012," Mathieu said.

He seemed sincere and was certainly forthright with respect to his drug usage and the former Heisman finalist was contrite when it came to going through the public embarrassment of getting booted from school.

"I know what it's like to be humiliated," Mathieu said. "To go back down that road? Not a chance in my lifetime."

Mathieu's got a slew of red flags and his draft stock certainly isn't anything resembling high at the moment, but listening to him talk and seeing him prepared for the combine press conference was impressive.

He spoke like a guy who is genuinely involved in rehabilitating his life and even went so far as to try to distance himself from the Honey Badger nickname.

"If the Honey Badger sticks, it sticks," Mathieu said. "But right now I'm focused on being Tyrann Mathieu."

Good luck with that, Tyrann (Adam Jones would like a word). Shaking a nickname like Honey Badger is harder than trying to man up on Julio Jones.

And getting rid of his nickname won't cause his draft stock to crank up. But the effort he put forth in prepping for the combine, the specific things he spoke about with respect to his recovery and the way he contextualized what he's going through paint the picture of a guy who's doing the right things off the field these days.