Laremy Tunsil is cleared to play after a seven-game suspension due to an NCAA investigation

The NCAA announced today that Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil will serve a seven-game suspension and return to the field against Texas A&M on October 24 after he is under investigation several allegedly impermissible benefits. The final game of his suspension will be served this week against the Memphis Tigers.

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Tunsil, Freeze comment on the NCAA decision

Monday, October 12th

Tunsil released a statement discussing how the situation has affected him:

I take full responsibility for the mistakes I made and would like to thank everyone for their continued support. I would like to apologize to my teammates, coaches and the entire Ole Miss family for how my decisions have impacted our program. This was a learning experience and I’m looking forward to being back on the field with my team and rehabilitating. The last 10 months have been a physical and mental battle for me, but I love this game more than anything. I want to be there for my teammates who depend on me to finish what we started together.

Head coach Hugh Freeze believes this was a learning experience for his star player:

We have supported Laremy throughout this process and are grateful for his return to competition with the Texas A&M game. More important than his football ability is his character, and I am confident that Laremy will grow from this experience and continue to be a positive member of the university and our football team.

Details of the NCAA investigation into Tunsil

Tunsil was arrested on domestic violence charges this summer after an incident with his stepfather, Lindsey Miller. Those charges have since been dismissed, but lawsuits remain Miller became the focus of the NCAA’s investigation following the incident. Miller alleged that Ole Miss falsified Tunsil’s academic records and that he received improper benefits from prospects.

“Phew, I don’t know. That probably…I would have to be made to feel very confident that our program is not in jeopardy,” Freeze said of the potential matchup against Tunsil, according to Parrish Alford Sun Herald. “That would have to come from our administration above me.”

Tunsil is considered one of the best offensive tackles in college football and a surefire first-round draft pick. CBS Sports currently ranks him as the fifth-best player in the 2016 class.

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