Ole Miss OL Tunsil arrested after dispute, was allegedly defending mom

Ole Miss offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil was arrested Friday in Oxford, Miss., on domestic violence charges.

Ole Miss offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil was arrested on Friday in Oxford, Miss., on domestic violence charges, reports ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.

The incident occurred on Thursday, when Tunsil, 20, was at his mother’s house with his mother, Desiree Tunsil, and her husband, Lindsey Miller, who is Tunsil’s stepfather. ESPN reports Miller shoved Tunsil’s mother, prompting Tunsil to punch him back.

In a statement on Saturday, Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said Tunsil and his mother had since pressed charges against Miller. Tunsil’s arrest report is not expected to be released until Monday.

“We can confirm that Laremy Tunsil turned himself in and was arrested for a misdemeanor, domestic violence-simple assault,” Freeze said in a statement  to ESPN. “The incident occurred Thursday night and involves Laremy defending his mother against his stepfather.

“Laremy realizes he could have handled it differently, but I am proud of him for standing up for his mother and protecting his family. Laremy and his mother have also pressed charges against the stepfather. As we gather more facts, we will act and make decisions accordingly.”

Tunsil, listed at 6'5", 305 pounds, will be a junior for Ole Miss this season. He received All-SEC honors last season despite sustaining a dislocated ankle in Ole Miss’ 42–3 loss to TCU in the Peach Bowl and is expected to be ready for this season.

Over his first two seasons at Ole Miss, Tunsil has appeared in 23 games.

- Mike Fiammetta