OXFORD, Miss. — Laremy Tunsil has been suspended for seven games after an investigation revealed he had been given several improper benefits.

The NCAA notified the University of Mississippi on Monday.

The suspension means that Tunsil will not be returning to the gridiron until October 24 when the Rebels take on Texas A&M at home.

According to the university, the investigation revealed the athlete received extra benefits including the use of a loaner vehicle  over a six-month period without payment, a four-month interest-free promissory note on a $3,000 down payment for purchasing a used vehicle, two nights of lodging at a local home, an airline ticket purchased by a friend of a teammate, and one day use of a rental vehicle.

He also wasn’t truthful when the NCAA questioned him about the loaner vehicles.

Tunsil released the following statement:

“I take full responsibility for the mistakes I made and want to thank everyone for their continued support. I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and the entire Ole Miss family for how my choices affected our program. This was a learning experience, and I’m looking forward to being back on the field with my team and redeeming myself. The last 10 months have been a physical and mental battle for me, but I love playing this game more than anything else. I want to be here for my teammates who are depending on me to finish what we started together.”

Head Coach Hugh Freeze also released a statement saying, “We have been supportive of Laremy throughout this process, and we are thankful he can return to competition starting with the Texas A&M game. More important than his football ability is his character, and I am confident that Laremy will grow from this experience and continue to be a positive member of the University and our football team.”

In order to return to play, the NCAA said Tunsil will have to sit out seven games, pay the value of the extra benefits to a local charity, perform community service, and make the vehicle down payment.