The NCAA returned its decision on Laremy Tunsil, notifying the University of Mississippi the Rebels' offensive lineman will be eligible to play again on Oct. 24.
Wrapping up its investigation into whether or not Tunsil received impermissible benefits, the NCAA suspended Tunsil for seven games and determined the time Ole Miss has kept him out would count toward the punishment. Ole Miss head football coach Hugh Freeze has withheld Tunsil all season while both the NCAA and the university conducted probes.
From the Ole Miss Rebels' news release, the NCAA found Tunsil responsible for:
- Use of three separate loaner vehicles over a sixth-month period without payment
- A four-month interest-free promissory note on a $3,000 down payment for purchasing a used vehicle
- Two nights of lodging at a local home
- An airline ticket purchased by a friend of a teammate
- One day use of a rental vehicle
- Not completely forthcoming when initially questioned by NCAA investigators regarding the loaner vehicles
Tunsil apparently owned up to the benefits in a later interview with investigators, and publicly apologized in Ole Miss' statement.
"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," he said. "This was a learning experience, and I'm looking forward to being back on the field with my team and redeeming myself. The last 10 months have been a physical and mental battle for me, but I love playing this game more than anything else. I want to be here for my teammates who are depending on me to finish what we started together."
An all-SEC left tackle last season, Tunsil rehabbed a broken leg over the offseason and may have been ready to play the Rebels' season opener if not for the benching. He will have to sit out one more game, this Saturday's contest against Memphis, but will be eligible to play when Ole Miss hosts Texas A&M a week later.
"We have been supportive of Laremy throughout this process, and we are thankful he can return to competition starting with the Texas A&M game," Freeze said in the release. "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."
