Laremy Tunsil will never play for Ole Miss again, but he’s not done affecting the program.
Lawyers representing Hugh Freeze filed a petition in Lafayette County’s Circuit Court for a prohibition on any possible deposition the Rebels’ head coach may be asked to give in a lawsuit between the former Ole Miss left tackle and his stepfather, Lindsey Miller.
As first reported by TMZ, Miller is suing Tunsil for defamation of character stemming from Freeze’s comments that Tunsil was “standing up for his mother and protecting his family” when Tunsil initiated a physical altercation between he and Miller. Tunsil has stated he confronted Miller after Miller shoved Tunsil’s mother. Miller contends Tunsil attacked him after he confronted his stepson for violating NCAA rules. The pair also filed criminal domestic violence charges against each other last year before mutually dropping them.
Miller’s attorneys argue Freeze’s testimony could help prove their case. Miller’s attorneys have also requested to depose Rebels offensive line coach Matt Luke and assistant AD for football John Miller.
Freeze’s attorneys argued there is “no basis for deposing Freeze at any point concerning his claims against Defendant [Tunsil]” and described the request “as a fishing expedition as to Freeze’s liability,” according to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. They have also requested a deposition be conducted only through written questions, pertain only to his conversations with Tunsil over the events of last summer, and be kept under seal.
Tunsil, already suspended last year for seven games for accepting impermissible benefits, evoked more NCAA suspicion last month when he admitted at the NFL Draft to taking money from coaches while in Oxford. Ole Miss says it is investigating the claim and denies any wrongdoing.