Freeze speaks on Tunsil, 'confident' program does things right way

HOOVER, Ala. – Hugh Freeze expressed confidence in both Laremy Tunsil and his football program on Thursday.

Ole Miss' coach spoke publicly for the first time at SEC Media Days about the domestic violence charges facing All-American left tackle Laremy Tunsil and the allegations made by Tunsil's stepfather that the school has committed multiple NCAA violations.

"The process has begun. I know very little about it, to be honest,” Freeze said during his meeting with local media. “I'm confident. I know the way things are done around our place.”

NCAA officials traveled to Mississippi to speak with Tunsil’s stepfather, who claims he's aware of multiple rules violations by the football program that date all the way back to Tunsil's recruitment, not long after an incident occurred that led to both parties pressing domestic violence charges against each other.

Freeze had no comment when asked by The Clarion-Ledger if he felt comfortable calling any or all of Miller's allegations false.

Ole Miss has not received a letter of inquiry from the NCAA, a spokesperson said, but Freeze again reiterated that the school would offer its full cooperation. The school has already launched an internal investigation into the allegations.

Tunsil alleges that he assaulted his stepfather in defense of his mother, Desiree Tunsil. But according to an incident report by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, Lindsey Miller claimed the altercation was a result of his warning to Tunsil about having contact with agents.

During the first court hearing, Tunsil’s lawyer Steven Farese admitted there was an agent present the night of the incident. But he disputed Miller’s claim that Tunsil took a ride with that agent, which would be an NCAA violation.

Farese said that the car in question was a rental driven by a friend named “Zo,” who flew from South Carolina to Memphis and rented the car to drive to Oxford.

Freeze spoke broadly about the issues and distractions that come with agents contacting players.

“It’s very difficult to manage,” Freeze said. “I don’t know if we can do anything more in educating them about the possible dangers and everything. It’s troublesome.”

“You want your kids to be focused on the task at hand and the fact that you want them to understand that the only thing that can do anything for you right now is your resume that you’re going to put on the field.”

Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram said he’s talked to Tunsil often during the last few week and he hasn’t appeared distracted.

“We’re supporting him,” Engram said. “We’re rallying around him. He’s putting in the work. He’s bettering his craft. I’m pretty sure everything is going to work out.”

Freeze said Tunsil would "absolutely" be on the field if the season started today. He also lauded Tunsil as "one of the finest" players he's ever coached.

"I'm confident in the person that Laremy is," Freeze said. "I’m extremely confident in who we are and our core values.”

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