“This Is Not Instagram” – Rapper Toosii Joining LSU Football Team Doesn’t Sit Well with Tyrann Mathieu

LSU alum Tyrann Mathieu urges Toosii to take the spot on the LSU Tigers seriously.

“This Is Not Instagram” – Rapper Toosii Joining LSU Football Team Doesn’t Sit Well with Tyrann Mathieu

Tyrann Mathieu and Toosii (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Toosii joins LSU football team as a wide receiver after previously signing with Syracuse.
  • Tyrann Mathieu warns Toosii about the challenges of college football, emphasizing it's not like social media.
  • Mathieu recently experienced personal loss with the passing of his father, Darrin Hayes.

Getting back into football after a long break takes courage and dedication, and Toosii, also known as Nau’Jour Grainger, showed the determination to pursue his dream. Toosii joined the Louisiana State University and aims to represent the Tigers as a wide receiver. In that case, there’s hardly anyone better to get advice from than Tyrann Mathieu.

The Honey Badger graduated as a standout safety from LSU in 2011 before playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and the New Orleans Saints. Mathieu reacted to a video of Toosii training to be a receiver at the Tigers’ facility in Death Valley.

Rather than encouraging the 26-year-old, Mathieu gave him a stark warning about the challenges of being a football player.

This is a different game, this is not Instagram, this is not YouTube. It’s you being 5-foot-6. This is not a game. There is nobody on this roster you’d better than.

Mathieu said on his podcast, In The Bayou with Tyrann Mathieu

Mathieu’s words may come off as harsh, but he does bring up a good point. College football is no joke, and to top it off, Toosii will be competing in what’s arguably the toughest division in the NCAA, the SEC.

Toosii initially signed with the University of Syracuse in December 2025. He announced the news on Instagram.

COMMITTED… For every kid who ever had a dream, make it reality. God’s will is the way and no one can stop it not even the devil. I wanna thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for even giving me the strength to chase what I believed when so many people told me I couldn’t.

Toosii wrote (H/T: Rolling Stone)

On March 26, 2026, Toosii was added to the LSU roster for the upcoming 2026 season. This is not new territory for the North Carolina native. Before he released hits like “Love Cycle” and “Love Is,” Toosii was actively involved in high school basketball.

He won’t be the first athlete to get a late start at the collegiate level. Monte Harrison played a couple of seasons in Major League Baseball for Miami and the LA Angels before returning to college to pursue a career as a wideout. The 30-year-old Harrison joined the University of Arkansas in 2024 and has played 13 games for the Razorbacks.

Tyrann Mathieu’s father passed away

Mathieu played 12 seasons in the NFL. Over those years, he made 180 appearances, racking up 838 combined tackles, 36 interceptions, 4 touchdowns, 11 sacks, and 8 forced returns.

"This Is Not Instagram" - 25-Year-Old Rapper Toosii Joining LSU Football Team Doesn't Sit Well with Tyrann Mathieu
Tyrann Mathieu (Image via IMAGO)

Mathieu’s father, Darrin Hayes, constantly stood beside him as he earned four All-Pro honors, three Pro Bowl nods, and a Super Bowl winner’s medal. Hayes passed away on March 12th. Mathieu addressed his followers on X.

My dad passes away peacefully today. He was comfortable and surrounded by love ones. I Will keep you updated but as of now I need a few days. Thanks for all the love and prayers. Long Live cornbread, my dad!

Mathieu retired from football on July 22, 2025. Before Lane Kiffin took the LSU job, Mathieu urged the boss to give him a chance to coach his alma mater. There’s always the possibility that Tigers fans could see one of their favorites return as a coach in the future.

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