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Report: NCAA investigating Ole Miss for rules violations

(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

The NCAA is reportedly taking allegations made by the stepfather of Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil very seriously.

Tunsil’s stepfather, Lindsey Miller, said last week that his stepson was meeting with football agents on the night Tunsil was arrested for domestic assault against Miller. And according to The Clarion-Ledger, NCAA officials made the trip to Oxford Friday to speak with Miller regarding “an investigation into multiple alleged rules violations” by the Ole Miss football program.

Miller confirmed the meeting to The Clarion-Ledger and said he met with NCAA director of enforcement for football Chris Howard and another official for an estimated three hours. He declined to comment further about the meeting, but did tell the paper last week that he is aware of violations within the program.

From The Clarion-Ledger:

But on Thursday, Miller told The Clarion-Ledger that, in addition to the contact made by agents, he is aware of violations that occurred during Tunsil's recruitment as well, including claims of falsified academic records and gifts made by the university.

Miller also alleges that the agents have provided Tunsil with other benefits outside of transportation, including gifts of cash, clothes, help with car insurance payments and more.

An Ole Miss spokesperson told The Clarion-Ledger that the school has not had contact with the NCAA and was unaware of any representatives being in the area.

Miller told police last Thursday that he and Tunsil’s mother, Desiree Tunsil, were arguing about the star tackle “riding around with football agents” before Tunsil allegedly assaulted him. Tunsil, a projected first round pick, offered his own version of the incident to police, but his statement has not been released. Additionally, Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement that Tunsil was protecting his mother from his stepfather.

NCAA athletes are permitted to speak with certified NFL agents as long as they do not accept impermissible benefits, such as accepting transportation.

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

Tunsil and Miller have pressed charges against one another and have a court date scheduled for July 14.

For more Ole Miss news, visit RebelGrove.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!