NCAA Suspends Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil for Seven Games

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The NCAA announced the fate of Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil late Monday giving the preseason All-American a seven game suspension.

To date, Tunsil has served a six game suspension for receiving improper benefits that included an interest free $3,000 loan reportedly going towards a new car and three free loaner vehicles over a six-month period. Despite receiving all of the benefits afforded to him beyond others, the NCAA might have been more lenient reducing the junior’s suspension time had he been more “forthcoming” during the initial investigation.

Tunsil reportedly received the benefits from agents with the information coming out after a domestic scuffle with his step-father Lindsey Miller in early July. The allegations against Ole Miss ran much deeper which included payments to recruits and falsified grades and/or transcripts for recruits.

In a statement released through the University of Mississippi, Tunsil accepted responsibility for his actions stating, “’I take full responsibility for the mistakes I made and want to thank everyone for their continued support. I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and the entire Ole Miss family for how my choices affected our program. This was a learning experience, and I’m looking forward to being back on the field with my team and redeeming myself. ”

As part of his punishment, the NCAA stipulated Tunsil must pay the value of the extra benefits to charity, complete community service hours, and pay the costs of the vehicle payment.

The good news for Ole Miss fans is their starting left tackle will be back on the field after the Memphis game in time for a stretch run that includes Texas A&M, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU, and Mississippi State.

Photo credit: 247sports.com; No. 78 Laremy Tunsil.