Ole Miss Player Laremy Tunsils Shocking Fall From Grace See What Happened

Everyone's favorite gas mask-wearing offensive tackle finally may have admitted what everyone who followed his recruitment already suspected. Now we wait for him to walk things back and Ole Miss to receive no punishment whatsoever.

So let's recap. Laremy Tunsil's draft got off to a terrible start when a video surfaced on his Twitter feed right as the festivities were beginning of him using what appeared to be marijuana via a bong rigged to a gas mask. Ingenious, but also a PR nightmare for any team considering drafting the Mississippi offensive tackle.

While Tunsil was sitting in the draft green room nervously waiting to hear his name, his Instagram account was apparently also hacked, with someone posting screenshots of messages from his phone in which Tunsil appears to be soliciting money from coaches or boosters.

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Finally, after hearing his name called and shaking hands with Roger Goodell, Tunsil made his way to the interview room. And only then did the really weird stuff happen (pay careful attention from about the 1:45 mark on):

There'll certainly be more to this story in the coming days. But for now that's what I know. In the end I'm far more concerned with how the Georgia quarterback race is progressing, and whether Nick Chubb's knee is holding up than I am about whether a player who has no more eligibility got paid to play at Ole Miss. Because college football is where confirmation bias lives. The Ole Miss fans who believe Tunsil chose Oxford because he fell in love with the place will never be swayed. The Mississippi State fans who believe he was paid cash on the barrel head are likewise entrenched. It's all sordid, and a little sad, and it won't stop the world from turning or the wheel route from working. Until later . . .CHICAGO — An anonymous hacker used the night of the NFL draft to try to take down Laremy Tunsil and the Ole Miss football program

Moments before the draft began a video of Tunsil smoking out of a bong fashioned out of a gas mask was posted onto his Twitter account. When it had done its damage, moving Tunsil out of the top 10 entirely and to the Miami Dolphins on No. 13, the hacker started on Tunsil’s Instagram account.

Ole Miss Rebels Football

There they posted screenshots of alleged text messages between Tunsil and John Miller, assistant athletic director for football operations, in which Tunsil asks for money to pay rent and also for his mother's $305 electric and water bill. In reference to the former, Miller makes a reference to Barney. Barner Farrar is Ole Miss' assistant athletic director for high school and junior colleges.

ESPN's Joe Schad tweeted Friday morning that Farrar said he had not given Tunsil any money and that Tunsil had not asked Farrar for any money. Attempts to independently confirm the news with Farrar were unsuccessful.

This is potentially devastating news to Ole Miss, which is already in the midst of an investigation process with the NCAA. A notice of allegations (which included violations that led to Tunsil serving a long suspension during the 2015 season) was delivered to Ole Miss in January. A third party requested a 30-day extension earlier this month.While Tunsil was being asked if he had met with the NCAA, his agent Jimmy Sexton's assistant stopped the press conference and escorted Tunsil to a room down the hall before closing the door.

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Ole Miss released a statement late Thursday night that said it was aware of the reports and, Like we do whenever an allegation is brought to our attention or a potential violation is self-discovered, we will aggressively investigate and fully cooperate with the NCAA and the SEC.

Coach Hugh Freeze was in the green room with Tunsil and fellow NFL first-round picks from Ole Miss, Laquon Treadwell (23rd overall to the Minnesota Vikings) and Robert Nkemdiche (29th overall to the Arizona Cardinals).

Tunsil missed the first seven games of the 2015 season for receiving the use of three loaner vehicles over a six-month period without payment; a four-month, interest-free promissory note on a $3, 000 down payment for buying a used vehicle; two nights at a local home; an airline ticket purchased by a friend of a teammate; and one-day use of a rental car.

Fall Previews: Ole Miss Rebels

The leaking of the video shocked those at the NFL Draft and apparently those in team meeting rooms — multiple reports said that the Baltimore Ravens were set to draft Tunsil at No. 6 overall before the video was posted. As a result he was taken off their board entirely, and the Ravens picked Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley.

Tennessee, who was expected to pick Tunsil when it had the No. 1 pick, traded up to No. 8, but instead of taking Tunsil the Titans went with Michigan State's Jack Conklin. Conklin was considered clearly the third-best tackle in the draft behind Tunsil and Stanley.

Even before the video dropped Tunsil had bad news during draft week. His former stepfather, Lindsey Miller, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging Tunsil had defamed Miller's character during the parties' legal issues last summer.

Nfl Draft Profile: Laremy Tunsil, Ot Ole Miss

Tunsil, who left Ole Miss after his junior season, gave up two sacks in three seasons as Ole Miss’ left tackle. He sat out the first seven games of the 2015 season, but once he returned the Rebels were a top-10 unit among power five schools in yards per game and sacks per pass attempt.

In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Mississippi offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (78) loosens up prior to a game. Mississippi will investigate former offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil's comments that he accepted money from a member of the football staff while playing at the school. The university said in a statement Friday, April 29, 2016, it is aware of the reports from the NFL Draft regarding Laremy Tunsil and potential NCAA violations during his time at Ole Miss and will aggressively investigate and fully cooperate with the NCAA and the SEC. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze was surprised by former Rebels offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil's statement at the NFL draft that he accepted money from a coach while at the school.

I was shocked like everyone else living it out in real time, Freeze said of Tunsil's draft night comments. But I'm confident our administration is going to find the facts and then give us a good report on it.

Ole Miss Football: The Rebels Nfl Draft History (2010 2019)

Freeze said Thursday on an SEC teleconference he is not involved in the fact-finding process but has been told that the school has made a lot of progress in the investigation.

There was also a post on Tunsil's Instagram account — which he said was hacked — showing an alleged text conversation with an Ole Miss football staff member about arranging payment for bills.

The football program is already under NCAA investigation. The school received a Notice of Allegations from the governing body in January and is preparing its response.

Laremy Tunsil Slides After Bong Video Surfaces, Ol Says He Took Money From Ole Miss Coach

The Ole Miss athletics department has been largely silent since Tunsil's comments last week, other than to release a statement on Friday that it was aware of the situation and would aggressively investigate and fully cooperate with the NCAA and the SEC.

I'm trying to be patient, Freeze said. That's difficult sometimes because you want to respond but there's great wisdom in being patient and making sure you get the facts and we're still in that process.

Tunsil's draft night comments were the latest twist in an NCAA investigation that's lasted nearly four years. The review started in 2012 with the women's basketball team and quickly spread to the football and track and field programs.

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The case appeared to be wrapping up before Tunsil's potential draft-night bombshell. Ole Miss received its Notice of Allegations in January. NCAA rules usually give a school 90 days to respond, but the case received a 30-day extension in late April.

If Tunsil's comments lead to more allegations against Ole Miss, the case could be delayed several months while a new Notice of Allegations is produced.

Freeze has turned Ole Miss into one of the SEC's better programs over the past few years. The Rebels have beaten Alabama two seasons in a row and finished with a 10-3 record last season, including a victory over Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl.

Bob Sturm's 2016 Draft Profile Series: Ole Miss' Laremy Tunsil May Be More Promising Than Cowboys' Tyron Smith

One reason Ole Miss was able to jump into the league's elite was its sudden ability to recruit elite athletes. The Rebels had a loaded 2013 class that included Tunsil, receiver Laquon Treadwell and defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche. All three were selected in the first round of last week's draft.

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