Ole Miss officials say Laremy Tunsil text seeking payments did occur

Mississippi officials have confirmed a text message conversation published on Laremy Tunsil's Instagram account during the NFL draft did occur last year but are still investigating whether the messages were altered, ESPN's Outside the Lines reported Thursday.

The conversations show Tunsil asking Ole Miss assistant athletic director John Miller for money to pay rent and his mother's $305 utility bill in early 2015. Miller directs Tunsil to "see Barney next week," a reference to assistant athletic director for high school and junior college relations Barney Farrar.

The firestorm erupted during the draft as Tunsil plummeted down the board and was finally selected 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins. The offensive tackle was forecast to go as high as No. 3.

Prior to the Instagram issue, a picture on Tunsil smoking from a bong while wearing a gas mask was posted on Tunsil's Twitter account.

Tunsil said on April 28 that he did receive money from an Ole Miss coach. He has refused to elaborate further.