Ole Miss is preparing themselves to be without star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil for several more weeks, as the investigation into allegations of him having contact with agents continue.
Previously I wrote if Tunsil actually missed any conference games it may be time to be concerned for Ole Miss fans, and with the Rebels heading to Tuscaloosa this weekend, it is time to worry.
Here are the details from ESPN:
Ole Miss is bracing to be without All-America offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil for several more games, including Saturday’s contest at Alabama (9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), while the NCAA continues its investigation into allegations he violated NCAA rules.
The NCAA has conducted an investigation into Ole Miss’ athletic department that has dragged on for more than three years now. The part of the investigation involving Tunsil heated up this summer when he and his mother’s estranged husband, Lindsey Miller, had a physical altercation that prompted both to file domestic violence charges. Afterward, Miller claimed Tunsil had been riding around in cars with agents and had accepted impermissible benefits from agents and officials at Ole Miss.
Tunsil, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound junior, did not play in the Rebels’ first two games. Sources told ESPN.com that the sticking point is a loaner vehicle Tunsil received from Cannon Motors in Oxford, Mississippi, while his car was in the repair shop. Tunsil allegedly kept that loaner vehicle for an extended period of time before returning it to the dealership, and the NCAA has deemed it an extra benefit.
Yikes, this is not looking for Tunsil and Ole Miss. Tunsil is a future top 10 pick so the replacing him will be a monumental task for Hugh Freeze and the Rebels.
While Ole Miss has coasted to two easy victories early on, Alabama is a whole different animal and they will need their best pass protector on the blind side of Chad Kelly as he makes his first big start in hostile territory.