OXFORD – NCAA officials were here Friday and interviewed the stepfather of Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil as part of an investigation into multiple alleged rules violations by the University of Mississippi football program.
The trip made by NCAA officials comes one week after Tunsil was arrested for domestic assault against his stepfather, Lindsey Miller. According to an arrest report by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office obtained by The Clarion-Ledger this week,[B/] Miller claimed the fight was a result of his warning to Tunsil about having contact with player agents.[/B]
Miller confirmed to The Clarion-Ledger Friday that he met with NCAA director of enforcement for football Chris Howard for what he estimated was three hours.
He declined to comment further on his meeting with Howard and one other unnamed NCAA official, saying he agreed that their talks would remain confidential.
But on Thursday, Miller told The Clarion-Ledger that, in addition to the contact made by agents, he is aware of violations that occurred during Tunsil's recruitment as well, including claims of falsified academic records and gifts made by the university.
Miller also alleges that the agents have provided Tunsil with other benefits outside of transportation, including gifts of cash, clothes, help with car insurance payments and more.
An Ole Miss spokesperson told The Clarion-Ledger that the school has not had contact with the NCAA and was unaware of any representatives being in the area.
Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said Tunsil, who is projected to be a top five pick in next year's NFL draft, allegedly assaulted his stepfather in defense of his mother, Desiree Tunsil.
When Lafayette County deputies arrived at the scene Thursday, according to the police incident report, Miller was "very excited" and claimed that "Tunsil and the agents" left in a yellow convertible.
The deputy put out a "BOLO," or "be on lookout," for the car with both the Oxford Police Department and the university's police, the report says.
Tunsil would be able to speak with certified NFL agents under NCAA rules as long as he doesn't sign a contract with them or accept any impermissible benefits.
But under NCAA bylaw 12.3, a student-athlete may not accept transportation from an agent. This also applies to the student-athlete's relatives or friends.
"We are aware that Laremy and his family have met with potential agents, which is within his NCAA rights as a student-athlete," Freeze said in a statement to The Clarion-Ledger earlier this week. "Regarding the altercation, we will continue to gather facts and cooperate with the proper authorities."
Both parties have pressed charges against each other.
Tunsil and Miller are scheduled to appear in court on July 14, said Lafayette County Sheriff's Department officials.
