From First to Thirteenth: What Happened to Tunsil at NFL Draft

Graphic from Facebook.com / Miami Dolphins

Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was projected to be first pick in weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. Last night, Tunsil was thirteenth pick by the Miami Dolphins…and it wasn’t because of more trading by NFL teams.

Ten minutes before the NFL Draft began in Chicago, Laremy Tunsil’s (now former) Twitter account tweeted a video of him wearing a gas mask as he smoked a bong. The tweet was deleted quickly, but not before other Twitter users took screenshots and saved the video.

However, at the NFL Combine, Tunsil was among all the football players who passed their drug testing.

For the first time in recent memory, NFL has notified all 32 teams that no player tested positive at February combine, per league sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2016

Despite many tweeting that the video seemed to be taken years ago and that Tunsil passed his drug tests, the Baltimore Ravens reportedly took Tunsil’s name off their board.

Ravens took Tunsil OFF their board after that video, member of organization tells me. OFF.

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) April 29, 2016

Forbes estimated that Tunsil lost more than $7 million in salary because of NFL teams’ reaction to that video.

Despite the initial crisis, the Miami Dolphins chose Laremy Tunsil.

The moment Laremy Tunsil became a part of the Miami Dolphins. #WelcomeToTheFamily pic.twitter.com/BatmRKpqW8

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 29, 2016

Tunsil is yet another Rebel to join the Dolphins after John Jerry and Todd Wade, who currently resides in Oxford.

@MiamiDolphins just got the biggest steal in the draft with Tunsil. Maybe since Marino. Big time.

— Todd Wade (@ToddWade71) April 29, 2016

Miami Dolphins’ general manager Chris Grier saw Laremy Tunsil as a lucky surprise.

#Dolphins GM Chris Grier on OT #LaremyTunsil: “This
is a guy who was No. 2 ranked on our board. We did not expect him to be there."

— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) April 29, 2016

Miami Herald reports that Tunsil met with local media via a teleconference where he said that video is “two years old.”

Tunsil created a new Twitter account, @LaremyTunsil_, and his first tweet was an atonement.

It's controversy, you guys need to trust me. I learned from my mistakes. Hopefully you guys realize that too….? @NFL @nflnetwork #mistake

— Laremy Tunsil (@LaremyTunsil_) April 29, 2016

However, the long night didn’t end for Tunsil after the Miami Dolphins’ pick. After he was selected, people who follow him on Instagram began alerting him that it was hacked.

Two pictures of text conversations were posted on Laremy Tunsil’s Instagram last night depicting alleged conversations between Tunsil and John Miller, Ole Miss assistant athletic director of football operations, regarding assistance with rent and utility bills.

Laremy Tunsil CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD. He's under cyber attack. Instagram hacked. Badly https://t.co/WrnnUh8xOi pic.twitter.com/rEB9ag4StS

— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) April 29, 2016

The text conversations immediately fell under scrutiny, and some people tweeted to point out the time stamps that suggest these conversations may be doctored and possibly false.

Am I the only one recognizing these Tunsil time stamps??? #FAKE @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/s2JwDzXBqz

— Matt Froelich (@mattyfro_) April 29, 2016

Recently today, April 29, other Twitter users and media reporters began questioning if the alleged text conversations were in relation to the NCAA Student Assistance Fund.

Tunsil comments and the NCAA Student Assistance Fund via @parrishalford https://t.co/0VLfn36TYE

— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) April 29, 2016

Ole Miss Athletics issued a statement this Friday morning saying, “The university is aware of the reports from the NFL Draft regarding Laremy Tunsil and potential NCAA violations during his time at Ole Miss. Like we do whenever an allegation is brought to our attention or a potential violation is self-discovered, we will aggressively investigate and fully cooperate with the NCAA and the SEC.”

Despite the chaos last night, many of Tunsil’s Ole Miss family tweeted sympathy and support for him.

I feel awful for LT..he doesn't deserve this. Besides how great of an athlete he is, one of the nicest most humble guys I've played with.

— Ryan Buchanan (@_RyanBuchanan_) April 29, 2016

Can't understand how someone would ever want to do this to someone. One of the best people I've ever been around.

— Bo Wallace (@bowallace14) April 29, 2016

Ole Miss football head coach Hugh Freeze spoke candidly about Laremy Tunsil during the draft coverage last night. He also went to see Tunsil and his family during the draft.

Ole Miss' Hugh Freeze coming to Tunsil's defense on our draft coverage: "I believe in the young man. … I assure you that's not who he is."

— Travis Haney (@TravHaneyESPN) April 29, 2016

Hugh Freeze appears to be trying to console Laremy Tunsil and his family. Great coach. pic.twitter.com/iYA4eV6dR0

— Robby Donoho (@RobbyDonoho) April 29, 2016

Callie Daniels Bryant is the senior managing editor at HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.

Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…