Laremy Tunsil falls to Dolphins after bong video leaked
CHICAGO — Former Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil was selected by the Miami Dolphins at 13th overall, ending a freefall for the once-likely No. 1 overall pick.
A video was posted on Tunsil's Twitter account just moments before the draft that showed him smoking out of a bong fashioned out of a gas mask. It 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.
"I’m just happy to be a part of the Miami Dolphins," Tunsil said to the NFL Network's Deion Sanders. "I’m going to work my butt off."
Sanders asked Tunsil directly if Tunsil's former stepfather, Lindsey Miller, was behind the hacking of his Twitter account. Tunsil said he's not going to "point any fingers."
Sanders also noted that Tunsil did not fail a single drug test during the build-up to the NFL draft.
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.
"To me, the Laremy deal is a no-brainer," Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said while walking the red carpet before the draft. "I could not pass him. I just know how talented and special he is, and you want to get your quarterback protected. I have not seen a better college guy at protecting the quarterback than him."
It has been a weird two days for Tunsil: he was sued by his former stepfather on Tuesday afternoon as well.
More to come
Where does Laremy Tunsil end up in the NFL draft?
