Ole Miss tackle booked in assault case involving stepfather

OXFORD, Miss. - University of Mississippi football coach Hugh Freeze said Saturday that offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was arrested in a domestic violence case involving his stepfather in Oxford.

Freeze issued a statement Saturday saying that Tunsil turned himself in and was booked on a charge of misdemeanor domestic violence-simple assault.

The incident happened Thursday night. Freeze said Tunsil was defending his mother against his stepfather and that Tunsil and his mother have pressed charges against the stepfather.

"Laremy realizes he could have handled it differently, but I am proud of him for standing up for his mother and protecting his family," Freeze said. "As we gather more facts, we will act and make decisions accordingly."

A person who answered the telephone at the Oxford Police Department could not immediately confirm the arrest.

Oxford police chief Joey East did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Tunsil, a junior who earned All-SEC honors in 2013, is recovering from a broken leg and dislocated ankle suffered in December in a Peach Bowl loss to Texas Christian University.