NFL DRAFT: WHO WENT WHERE
The opening round of the NFL Draft brought some surprises, with tackle Laremy Tunsil sliding to No. 13 after a bizarre video post. Find out if any players with Oklahoma ties were picked and who the Dallas Cowboys selected.
MIAMIMIAM — Tackle Laremy Tunsil’s surprising slide in the NFL draft ended with the 13 13th pick Thursday, whe where he was taken by th the Miami Dolphins.
Tunsil was once co considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, but he fell after a bizarre video was posted on his Twitter account minutes before the start of the draft showed a person smoking from a mask equipped with a bong.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said the team had been aware of the video’s existence well before the draft, and said it was two years old.
The approximately 30-second video was quickly deleted from Tunsil’s Twitter account, which was then deactivated.
“Man, it was a mistake,” Tunsil said. “It happened
years ago. Somebody hacked my Twitter account, and that’s how it got on there.”
Tunsil said he didn’t know who hacked his account, but the video added to the perception Tunsil has off-the-field problems. He sat out the 2015 season’s first seven games after the NCAA ruled he received improper benefits, including the use of three loaner cars over a six-month period.
Tunsil attended the draft in Chicago and waited more than 90 minutes until his name was finally called. He then exhaled and shook his head, and after accepting congratulations from commissioner Roger Goodell, Tunsil managed a smile.
“Man, it’s just a crazy world, and things happen for a reason,” Tunsil said. “I’m glad to be in Miami. I’m going to work my butt off man and give it everything I’ve got.”
The pick created a buzz on social media, including tweets of the team logo with a mask over the dolphin’s head while using a bong.
Tackle wasn’t considered a priority for the Dolphins, but they decided the 6-5, 310-pound Tunsil was too good to pass on. He was a three-year starter at Ole Miss.
Grier said the Dolphins knew the story behind the video, but declined to share it. He said the team had heard rumors regarding Tunsil’s background, and careful research allayed concerns.
“He’s a smart kid,” Grier said. “He’s very football-intelligent. This guy is one of those grinders. There’s no doubt this guy loves football, and football is very important to him.”
When asked if Tunsil loves football more than he loves drugs, Grier said, “Yes.”
The pick prompted a celebration in the team’s draft room, Grier said. He said the Dolphins had Tunsil ranked No. 2 overall and didn’t expect him to fall to them.
Tunsil said the Dolphins didn’t need to worry about his character.
“I’m going to show everybody what type of person I am, despite all the mistakes,” he said. “They’re getting a great man. I’m going to put everything on the line. I’m going to give it my all. They don’t have to worry about nothing.”
The overall No. 3 pick in the 2013 draft, Dion Jordan, sat out last season with the Dolphins serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy.
Tunsil was a prep star at Columbia High School in Lake City, Fla., and remains close to his small hometown near Jacksonville.