DAVIE, Fla. -- The highest-ranking person in the Miami Dolphins’ organization offered his stamp of approval on first-round pick Laremy Tunsil on Saturday.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he is confident in the character of Tunsil and the research the team did on the offensive tackle during the pre-draft process. On Thursday night, a social media video was posted just before the draft of Tunsil wearing a gas mask and smoking a bong. The offensive lineman also admitted that he took cash from an Ole Miss coach, which sent shock waves throughout that program.
Despite prior issues in college, Miami selected Tunsil with the No. 13 overall pick.
“I think a lot of work is done for months and months, and one [thing] two hours before the draft is totally somebody out to get a guy,” Ross said. “It’s not a question of this guy changed overnight. The work that we’ve done on him, the people we’ve talked to and even subsequently talking to, we’re going to continue that.
“Meeting the kid, you know that this is a good kid. It’s going to be a great choice.”
Ross said he is "thrilled" with Miami's draft thus far. Tunsil was the No. 2 overall player on the Dolphins' board, and the team believes it got a tremendous value.
Miami's owner doesn't anticipate issues with Tunsil moving forward.
“I spoke with him and he was thrilled, just a nice guy,” Ross said. “But everything I’ve talked to people about him, I’ve talked to his coach from high school, and he’s really a good kid. He’s thrilled to be here.”
