It really does seem like the police blotter has been filled with college football players finding themselves in trouble with the law over the past several months. Though, it’s important to take a wait-and-see approach when looking at the latest incident.
Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil was arrested on Friday in Oxford, MS. for allegedly punching his stepfather during a domestic incident involving his mother.
“Tunsil was at his mother’s house with his mother, Desiree Tunsil, and her husband, Lindsey Miller, Tunsil’s stepfather, when the incident occurred Thursday. Tunsil and his mother have since pressed charges against the stepfather, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said.”
The report goes on to cite a source close to the situation in indicating that Tunsil was simply protecting his mother after his stepfather shoved her.
Mississippi head coach Hugh Freeze offered more insight in confirming the arrest:
“We can confirm that Laremy Tunsil turned himself in and was arrested for a misdemeanor, domestic violence-simple assault. The incident occurred Thursday night and involves Laremy defending his mother against his stepfather.”
Tunsil, a 6-foot-5 junior, is the team’s starting left tackle. He suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl this past December. Despite this, the heralded five-star recruit is expected to be ready for the team’s season opener.
NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein just recently pegged the junior as one of the top offensive tackles to watch during the 2015 season. If he’s fully recovered from that devastating injury and performs well, there’s no reason to believe Tunsil won’t be a first-round pick next June.
By the looks of it, Thursday’s incident won’t have much of an impact. No one can blame a kid for defending his mother from an allegedly violent assault.
Photo: USA Today Sports