Stepfather alleges Tunsil was with 'football agents' during fight

OXFORD – Lindsey Miller, the stepfather of Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil, told Lafayette County Sheriff's Department deputies on Thursday night that he and Tunsil's mother were arguing about Tunsil "riding around with football agents" at the time of the incident that led to Tunsil's arrest, according to a police report obtained by The Clarion-Ledger on Tuesday morning.

Tunsil, who is projected to be a top five pick in next year's NFL draft, was arrested on charges of domestic violence after he allegedly assaulted his stepfather on Thursday in defense of his mother, Desiree Tunsil, coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement released Saturday.

According to the police report, when deputy Rudy Howell arrived at the scene at 7:19 p.m. Thursday night, Miller was "very excited" and told Howell that "Tunsil and the agents" left in a yellow convertible.

Tunsil's voluntary statements were not attached to the report obtained by The Clarion-Ledger.

Per NCAA rules, Tunsil would be allowed to speak with certified NFL agents and still maintain his eligibility as long as he doesn't accept any impermissible benefits or sign.



"We are aware that Laremy and his family have met with potential agents, which is within his NCAA rights as a student-athlete," Freeze said in a statement to The Clarion-Ledger on Tuesday afternoon. "Regarding the altercation, we will continue to gather facts and cooperate with the proper authorities."

According to Miller's statements to Howell, Desiree Tunsil walked out of the house during the argument about Tunsil's alleged contact with agents when Laremy Tunsil entered.

Miller, 53, then claims he extended his hand to give Tunsil a handshake, but Tunsil allegedly shoved him against a wall and started hitting him.

Howell noted that he witnessed a picture in the home on the hallway floor and "another decoration" crooked on the wall.

According to the incident report, four other men were inside the home and pulled Tunsil off Miller.

Howell also questioned Miller's son, Derek. who was one of Miller's two sons included in a restraining order against Tunsil which was issued by a Lafayette County judge on Friday.

Derek Miller told the deputies that he recalled Desiree Tunsil and Lindsey Miller were "cussing" at each other when Laremy Tunsil entered the home and pushed his father against a wall.

Derek Miller said his father fell to the ground quickly, and Tunsil got on top of him and started hitting him.

Derek Miller said he ran out of the house to seek help from a neighbor during the fight. He fell while running for help, he said, and Howell witnessed Derek Miller's bloody knee.

Howell tried to call Desiree Tunsil after speaking with Lindsey Miller but did not get an immediate answer.

Thursday night, Howell spoke with Ole Miss offensive line coach Matt Luke and assistant athletics director for football operations John Miller, according to the police report. Both were "very cooperative" and had Laremy Tunsil at the sheriff's office at 10 p.m. to write his statement.

As of Monday, both parties had pressed charges against each other. Tunsil and Miller are scheduled to appear in court on July 14, Lafayette County Sheriff's Department officials told ESPN late Tuesday night.

Miller was booked at the Lafayette County Detention Center at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday and was released on bail nearly 40 minutes later, according to the jail docket.

Tunsil was taken into custody by a sheriff's deputy and booked at the detention center on Friday at 2:15 p.m. He was released nearly an hour later on bond, according to the jail docket.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound junior is one of the nation's top offensive linemen. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. projected Tunsil as the second overall selection in his first "big board" for 2016.

Contact Riley Blevins at rblevins@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @Riley_Blevins on Twitter.