Tunsil's alleged ride with agents is violation, likely not major

OXFORD – Lindsey Miller, the stepfather of Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil, told Lafayette County Sheriff's Department deputies that Tunsil was "riding around with football agents" at the time of the incident that led to Tunsil's arrest.

The allegations would constitute an NCAA violation. But not a major one, an Ole Miss spokesperson told The Clarion-Ledger on Wednesday.

The spokesperson added that the school is still looking into Miller's allegations.

Tunsil, as Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze also pointed out in a statement, would be allowed to speak with certified NFL agents and still maintain his eligibility as long as he doesn't sign or accept any impermissible benefits.

Under NCAA bylaw 12.3, a student-athlete may not accept transportation from an agent. This also applies to the student-athlete's relatives or friends.

For example, an athlete could theoretically go to dinner with a certified agent under NCAA rules, as long as the athlete provided his own transportation and paid for his meal.

According to the police report, Miller told responding deputy Rudy Howell that Tunsil "and the agents" left the scene in a yellow convertible.

Should the allegations be true, the resulting punishment would not be severe, the spokesperson said. For example, Tunsil may be asked to pay back the cost of mileage.

The NCAA did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Clarion-Ledger.

Ole Miss cited a case from 2010 as an example.

USC football player Dillon Baxter took a brief golf cart ride on campus with an agent. Baxter was suspended for one game and subsequently donated the assessed value of the ride -- which was $5 -- to charity.

Tunsil, who is projected to be a top five pick in next year's NFL draft, was arrested on charges of domestic violence on Thursday.

Freeze said in a statement that Tunsil acted in defense of his mother, Desiree Tunsil.

Miller told a different version of the events. The 53 year old alleged in a police report that the incident stemmed from an argument he and Tunsil's mother had about agents, and that Tunsil acted as the instigator.

Both parties have 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.

Per Ole Miss' compliance website, the State of Mississippi Uniform Athlete Agent Act and University of Mississippi athlete agent policy require agents to register themselves with both the secretary of state and university prior to contacting any student-athlete.

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