No update on Ole Miss OT Tunsil's status as Fresno State game looms
Following last Saturday's surprising news that Ole Miss' Laremy Tunsil would not play in the season opener for "precautionary" reasons likely revolving around his NCAA eligibility, there has been no change in his status halfway through the team's preparations for this coming Saturday's game against Fresno State.
Rebels coach Hugh Freeze claims the decision is not his own, but comes from the Ole Miss' administration. Freeze is awaiting their permission to play the junior left tackle, according to OM Spirit.
“It’s difficult. He’s one of my favorite kids,” Freeze said. “I think he’s a great kid. I love him dearly, and it’s difficult. We don’t talk about it a whole lot. I had to communicate to him that we were going to be very cautious and sit him out. And, you know, that hurts a guy like him.
“I know everyone is surprised, but really the way these things go for me, I’m just not included in a lot of the behind-the-scenes things that are going on. That can be quite frustrating and make you anxious at times, but I am confident that our people and whatever process is going on that they’re on top of it.”
The Rebels likely won't miss Tunsil against Fresno State, but his status will loom large over the Alabama game in Tuscaloosa in a week's time. If Ole Miss has any chance of upsetting the Tide for the second time in as many seasons, they'll need arguably the best left tackle in the SEC to protect Chad Kelly's blindside against the Alabama front.
(h/t OM Spirit)
