The Robert Nkemdiche saga

Momma Nkemdiche trolls Clemson hard in the paint

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Ole Miss football recruiting 2013, National Signing Day recap: The Nkemdiche revolution

Ole Miss was the biggest story on National Signing Day, as it brought it some of the best players in the country. Full class and more below. Follow @SBNationCFB Follow @SBNRecruiting

Robert Nkemdiche makes some extra National Signing Day decisions

No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche has officially signed with Ole Miss. But he's not done making tough choices.

Robert Nkemdiche signs with Ole Miss on National Signing Day: Rebels land No. 1 recruit

The nation's No. 1 recruit has made his choice. Follow @SBNationCFB Follow @SBNRecruiting

It takes a village: How Robert Nkemdiche found Ole Miss

It's not just a tale of brotherly love. This is the story of how everyone from Houston Nutt to Johnny Manziel contributed to help Ole Miss land the top college football prospect in the nation.

Robert Nkemdiche's LSU visit: Shaq and Wale good, Mike's in Tigerland bad

The nation's top recruit was at LSU on Friday night, and he and Jeremy Hill live-tweeted the whole thing.

Ole Miss recruiting: Is Hugh Freeze's 2013 turnaround too good to be true?

Is the 2013 Rebels class really that special, and how are they doing this? The numbers, and the case for this all being on the up-and-up. Follow @SBNationCFB Follow @SBNRecruiting

Robert Nkemdiche indicates LSU visit days before Signing Day

Nation's #1 recruit announces surprise visit to Baton Rouge.

Robert Nkemdiche to visit LSU

A visit that some believed was off will apparently now happen for top national recruit Robert Nkemdiche, who tweeted that he'll be visiting the LSU Tigers over the weekend.

LSU tommrow what up!

— Robert Nkemdiche (@Aceboogie_001) February 1, 2013

While we’re here, let’s watch some of the many fine college football videos from SB Nation’s YouTube channel:

Robert Nkemdiche decommits from Clemson: Ole Miss bound?

Did Clemson lose a commitment from the top recruit in the country?

Robert Nkemdiche's mom wants Alabama or Ole Miss over Clemson

Robert Nkemdiche is gearing down his recruiting to focus on his team's run at the playoffs, but his mother has plenty to say about where her top-rated son should play.

Decommit watch: Robert Nkemdiche not the only star recruit in danger of flipping

Recently, I wrote that college football fans should expect a lot of decommitments in the coming months as many recruits made decisions before taking visits and considering all their options. Here are six high-profile prospects who could make the flip, along with potential destinations.

Elijah Daniel might or might not have decommitted from Clemson

Clemson appeared to have lost one of its elite defensive end recruits, with Rivals four-star Elijah Daniel tweeting he's heading elsewhere. But now there's a claim his account was "hacked."

O brother, where art thou? How Ole Miss might land Robert Nkemdiche

Ole Miss hasn't won a SEC game in two years, but brotherly love might help them get a commitment from one frequent guest: the No. 1 prospect in all of college football. Denzel Nkemdiche tells SB Nation he "won't be surprised" when his brother Robert joins him in Oxford on National Signing Day. Follow @SBNationCFB

Robert Nkemdiche's mom still wants him at Ole Miss, Clemson reportedly planning Nigeria flight

Robert Nkemdiche, the top recruit in the country for the class of 2013, may be wavering a bit on his commitment to the Clemson Tigers.

A defensive end out of Loganville (Ga.) Grayson High School, the 6'4", 270-pound Nkemdiche committed to Clemson over the summer, but it wasn't with the prior approval of his mother. Since that September revelation, the chatter surrounding his recruitment has not slowed down.

Nkemdiche recently told ESPN that "My recruitment is crazy still and Ole Miss is making a push for me. It does not matter to my dad, but my mom wants me to go to Ole Miss and we are still talking about it, so we have not come to an agreement on it yet. It is tugging my heart in two different directions."

As the saying goes, if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. To appease her, Clemson's coaches may fly to Nigeria to visit his mother over the winter, according to Tiger Illustrated ($).

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Robert Nkemdiche's Mother Not Sold On Clemson, Report Says

So far in the recruiting process of Robert Nkemdiche, we've heard from the player himself, his coach, and his father. All seem to be fairly sold on his commitment to the Clemson Tigers. One person we had not heard from was the No. 1 recruit's mother, Beverly. That changed Thursday.

Nkemdiche's mother lives in Nigeria, and she is not fully sold on his commitment to Clemson.

Beverly was alarmed when she returned this summer to learn how serious Robert's commitment to Clemson was being reported.

"His decision is not final," Beverley Nkemdiche told ESPN. "He's just a teenager, and people are forgetting that. We had never discussed Clemson, and I am unhappy with Clemson. I'm not there, so I don't know for certain, but I feel like Robert was pressured into this decision."

As any coach worth his salt knows, you gotta recruit momma. One would have to imagine that Dabo Swinney will soon be on the horn to Nigeria.

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For more Tigers football, visit Clemson blog Shakin' The Southland.

Did Robert Nkemdiche's Dad Accept Job At Ole Miss Medical Center?

Let's begin by stressing that this is just a rumor from sports talk radio at this point. But when rumors involve the top recruit in the country, they tend to pick up steam pretty quickly.

And that's what has happened here.

Robert Nkemdiche, the top recruit in the country and a Clemson commit, recently took a visit with his family to Ole Miss to visit his brother Denzel, a freshman for the Rebels.

But it wasn't Nkemdiche that came up on the "Head To Head Radio" show, a sports talk program broadcast across the state of Mississippi.

It was his father. More specifically, the rumor that his father has accepted a job at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.

The hosts are Matt Wyatt, a color analyst for Mississippi State, and Richard Cross, a former Ole Miss broadcaster. Here is a link to the audio (it starts at the 57:50 mark).

For those unable to listen, here is what was said:

Wyatt: "The rumor is that Robert Nkemdiche's father has accepted a job at University Medical Center in Jackson, and starts there in May."

Cross: "It's a long way [From Jackson] to Clemson, South Carolina. But it's not very far to Oxford, is it. By the way, [that's] where [Nkemdiche's brother] Denzel will be playing this year."

Neither Wyatt nor Cross reveal where they heard the rumor, and Wyatt was sure to categorize it as such. But since it involves the No. 1 recruit in the country, it's newsworthy.

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For more Tigers football, visit Clemson blog Shakin' The Southland.

For more on Rebels football, visit Ole Miss blog Red Cup Rebellion, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Robert Nkemdiche May Visit Oregon, USC

Robert Nkemdiche is considering official visits to Oregon and USC, according to Rivals' Adam Gorney. Nkemdiche is committed to Clemson, along with a few of his friends, but apparently hasn't ruled out taking a few trips this fall. However, it's probably not time for Clemson fans to panic just yet.

Nkemdiche said he's considering official visits to #USC and #Oregon rivals.yahoo.com/video/recruiti…

— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) July 27, 2012

Consider for a moment that Nkemdiche is a highly touted recruit that has his pick of schools. He's a huge talent, sought after by any and everyone in college football. And with five official visits to burn, Nkemdiche has some time to play around.

Now look at the schools. If one were to pick out "fun" official visits, USC and Oregon would be near the top of the list. Nkemdiche, should he decide to take both trips, would get to travel across the country and hang out at two of the premier programs in college football. At Oregon, he'd be spoiled for a weekend. At USC, he'd be able to hang out in Southern California for a few days, relaxing in the sun.

Would you decide to just skip those visits, even if committed somewhere else and even if the schools were begging you to come? No. No you would not.

One has to admire Nkemdiche's hustle. He got a few of his friends scholarships and can now take in a few of the legal benefits of recruiting. Official visits are a time to be wined and dined; it'd be hard to blame him for happily accepting the offers.

Introducing The Homeboy Hall Of Fame

Never heard of the Homeboy Hall of Fame? Well you have now thanks to the latest episode of "Bomani & Jones".

Robert Nkemdiche Shooting Down Clemson Scholarships Controversy

The story of the weekend in college football was No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche allegedly holding Clemson hostage by threatening to play elsewhere if the Tigers didn't offer defensive back Ryan Carter, yet another of Nkemdiche's high school teammates. Nevermind that he'd have every right to do such a thing, and he'll probably be worth multiple scholarships all by himself -- he's been saying since the story came out that he's made no such demand.

It's safe to say the man himself has been unhappy with the story and its reception:

I Never said any of those things but I guess the AJC will do anything for a story and to keep his job !

— robert nkemdiche (@Robertusmagna_1) July 8, 2012

I ain't talking to anymore reporter ever so just don't call my phone !

— robert nkemdiche (@Robertusmagna_1) July 8, 2012

That reporter blackout was then lifted, as to the New York Times, Nkemdiche said, "I didn’t give Coach Swinney an ultimatum about anything. I hope he doesn’t feel obligated to offer anybody a scholarship because of my commitment."

Carter would be the fifth Grayson High player in Clemson's 2013 class if he were offered. Two of Nkemdiche's teammates were already committed, and his former housemate Nick Schuessler dropped Mississippi State to pledge to play for the Tigers.

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For more Tigers football, visit Clemson blog Shakin' The Southland.

Will Clemson Offer Robert Nkemdiche's Entire High School Team?

Robert Nkemdiche To Clemson: Uh-Oh, Here Come High Expectations

The No. 1 recruit is penciled in at Death Valley. For the sake of Tigers fans, let's hope the Clemson narrative doesn't extend to recruiting finishes as well.

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For more Tigers football, visit Clemson blog Shakin' The Southland.

Robert Nkemdiche Confirms Commitment: 'I Love Clemson'

Reports came out on Thursday that consensus No. 1 college football prospect Robert Nkemdiche made a surprise commitment to play for the Clemson Tigers following a visit to the school's campus on Wednesday.

Kipp Adams of Recruiting Nation at ESPN reports that the commitment from the defensive end is indeed genuine.

"I did commit," Nkemdiche said. "I love Clemson."

The prospect will join a pair of high school teammates at Clemson: running back Wayne Gallman and cornerback David Kamara, who also both committed. Nkemdiche was said to be the primary focus for Clemson in its class of 2013 recruiting.

Nkemdiche is predicted to be an instant starter for Clemson in his first season in 2013. He had also been considering Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss and Georgia, among other schools.

For more Tigers football, visit Clemson blog Shakin' The Southland.

And if you like moving images related to college football, check out SB Nation's playlist.

Does Robert Nkemdiche's Father Disapprove Of His Commitment To Clemson?

The news of Robert Nkemdiche’s commitment to the Clemson Tigers stunned most of the recruiting world Thursday evening. It’s been less than an hour, and already multiple analysts have expressed doubt that the commitment will stick.

Most notably, Barton Simmons of the 247sports network tweeted:

Robert Nkemdiche has committed to #Clemson but I’m hearing he did so without his father on board. This one ain’t over.

— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) June 14, 2012

Parents play a major role in a player’s recruitment, and if Nkemdiche’s father did not give his approval or wants Nkemdiche to consider more factors and take more visits before making his final decision, then this recruitment could be far from over.

Robert Nkemdiche Could Be An Immediate Starter For Clemson

SB Nation’s excellent Clemson Tigers blog, Shakin' The Southland, has a look at what the commitment of Robert Nkemdiche means for the Tigers.

Every article about Nkemdiche mentions his work ethic as a player who has wanted to be the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation. He looks like he’s been very well coached in technique, I have to commend his coaches. He fires off the ball low and understands leverage, plays behind his pads, his hand usage is good, and his power and quickness are outstanding. He also has the ability to stand up and rush too, as Bama recruited him as a possible JACK linebacker. As I stated above he also played DT as a sophomore. He’s a 5-technique SDE at Clemson, with an ability to move in at the 3-tech in passing situations like Da’Quan Bowers did.

He starts from day 1, this is a future 1st Rd NFL pick if he stays healthy.

That’s high praise, but warranted, given Nkemdiche’s abilities.

Robert Nkemdiche Commits To Clemson, According To Report

Perhaps the weirdest story of the 2013 college football recruiting class has already run its course: Robert Nkemdiche has committed to Clemson, according to Rivals site Tiger Illustrated. Nkemdiche, the nation's consensus No. 1 player and a fearsome defensive end, was also considering Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Georgia, among other schools.

All this happened very swiftly on Wednesday. First, Nkemdiche was visiting Clemson, and then rumors swirled that he was going to commit to Dabo Swinney's Tigers, and now he apparently has. It's not the first big-time player the Tigers have pulled under Sweeney -- Da'Quan Bowers, also a defensive end, comes to mind -- but Nkemdiche could be the best recruit in Clemson's history if he sticks with this commitment.

As for whether Nkemdiche can contribute as a freshman? Bud Elliott's glowing Nkemdiche scouting report should leave little doubt that he's probably going to be a great player at the collegiate level.

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For more Tigers football, visit Clemson blog Shakin' The Southland.

Robert Nkemdiche Rumors: Surprise Clemson Commitment Coming Soon?

Consensus No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche is visiting Clemson at the moment, with chatter growing throughout the day that a shocking commitment could be in the cards. It's largely being buzzed about by Rivals writers, with this being perhaps the most confident tweet yet:

Nkemdiche is meeting with #Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney right now and has told some folks there he plans to commit

— Brian Perroni (@bperroni) June 14, 2012

Nkemdiche has been presumed to favor Alabama, Georgia and LSU, with Mississippi State offering some close personal ties and Nkemdiche having a brother who plays for Ole Miss. A commit to Clemson would pretty much blow up summer recruiting, especially since he wasn't expected to announce any time soon, let alone to the Tigers. Then again, Dabo Swinney has long appeared to possess certain mystical powers.

There's plenty of skepticism out there, of course, but this is the word at the moment.

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For more Tigers football, visit Clemson blog Shakin' The Southland.

Robert Nkemdiche Visiting Clemson Wednesday

Robert Nkemdiche, the nation's top recruit, will visit Clemson Wednesday.

Going to visit Clemson tommrow my boy Wayne already up there .

— robert nkemdiche (@Robertusmagna_1) June 12, 2012

Out of Loganville (Ga.) Grayson High School, the 6'4, 270-pound Nkemdiche holds offers from almost every major football power in the country, including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Clemson, Texas and USC. He is a consensus five-star recruit and can play a variety of positions.

Nkemdiche has often been linked to Alabama and LSU, but it would be unwise to count out a program like Clemson, with its family atmosphere and dynamic coaching personalities.

That Clemson has a commitment from teammate Wayne Gallman can't hurt, either.

#Clemson commit Wayne Gallman (HS teammate of Robert Nkemdiche) says he & Nkemdiche plan to go to same college. Also says RN likes #Bama.

— Laura McKeeman (@LauraMcKeeman) May 31, 2012

For more Tigers football, visit Clemson blog Shakin' The Southland.

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Robert Nkemdiche Scouting Report: Top Recruit Has Great Blend Of Size And Speed

Will Robert Nkemdiche Really Commit Over Summer?

Recently, Robert Nkemdiche, the top football recruit in the country for the class of 2013, told reporters that he plans to commit to a school in "a month or two." That, despite not having taken visits to all of the schools which he is considering. Some recruiting analysts aren't buying it.

For what it's worth, 5-star Robert Nkemdiche just told me he's committing this summer... I still think it will be a Signing Day announcement

— Laura McKeeman (@LauraMcKeeman) May 25, 2012

There shouldn't be any rush for Nkemdiche to commit early. It won't stop coaches from the schools to which he does not commit from calling, texting and harassing him in an effort to get him to change his mind.

Additionally, every school in the country will hold a spot for Nkemdiche. He will not be turned away. He's just that good.

And why would Nkemdiche commit before he has a chance to take official visits to schools like LSU and Texas? This is the biggest decision of his life to date. Given that he has the luxury of having a spot held for him, it only makes sense for him to take his visits and make his decision based on all the possible information and experiences he can gather.

Nkemdiche is believed to have a top group consisting of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Clemson, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Texas, in no particular order.

I agree with those who don't believe Nkemdiche will commit before National Signing Day. And if he does, I would expect him to continue to take visits even after committing.

As for the recent development of Georgia hiring a former assistant coach from Nkemdiche's high school, I think the potential impact of the hire is being overplayed. As the AJC points out, Nkemdiche has connections to many of the schools under consideration:

-Alabama: Nkemdiche's coach (Conn) played on Alabama's 1992 national championship team.
-Ole Miss: Nkemdiche's brother plays for Ole Miss, while his childhood best friend and Grayson teammate (David Kamara) has a scholarship offer from the Rebels.
-Clemson: Nkemdiche's coach (Conn) played football and roomed together with Dabo Swinney. One of Robert's Grayson's teammates, Wayne Gallman, is committed to Clemson, while Kamara has an offer.
-Mississippi State: Nkemdiche has lived with the family of Grayson QB Nick Schuessler, who signed with Mississippi State last February. Kamara holds an offer.

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VIDEO: Robert Nkemdiche Gushes About Alabama, Plans To Announce In Month Or Two

Robert Nkemdiche was originally supposed to make his college commitment announcement this week. That changed in early May, with Nkemdiche postponing his announcement. ESPN caught up with the talented defensive end to get the latest with his recruitment. Here are some excerpts from the video embedded at the bottom of this article.

One of the benefits of Nkemdiche postponing his announcement is greater exposure for his teammates. "I like getting the coaches here and seeing our other guys, It makes me happy, knowing that I have that power to have coaches here and they see other players making plays," Nkemdiche said about other coaches coming to Grayson's practice and noticing his teammates.

The focus then switched to his own recruitment. "I have my top schools LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgia, Mississippi State and Texas," Nkemdiche said when asked about his top schools. He did not specify any order.

Alabama has long been considered by many to be the prohibitive favorite for Nkemdiche.

"Alabama is a great school, great coaching. Nick Saban, that dude puts people in the NFL. And that's one of my main goals to go college is to go to the NFL. I saw the draft and they put tons of people ion the NFL. That's a main factor with me. [Alabama defensive coordinator] Kirby Smart does a great job recruiting me, he's always on me, and I like that. He gives me a lot of good advice and things like that," Nkemdiche said

Nkemdiche also spoke about LSU, Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, though in somewhat less detail, as you can see in the video.

Nkemdiche said that he will likely decide in the next month or two after taking visits to LSU, Alabama and Mississippi State, "Just to see them one more time." He was unsure of his plans to visit the other schools on his list.

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For more on Tide football, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Robert Nkemdiche Delays Commitment: What It Means For Georgia

In Robert Nkemdiche Delays Announcement: What It Means For Georgia, Dawg Sports writer Jeremy Attaway takes a look at the timing of Nkemdiche’s decision and specifically, how it relates to Georgia’s chances with the top in-state product in more than a decade. Here’s a snippet:

What does this mean for Georgia Bulldog partisans? A couple of things. For one, it means that we can get set to hear for another few months about how the top player in the country lives 45 minutes from Athens, yet Mark Richt and crew have been behind for his services from day one. That stinks. However, that’s about the only potential downside. On the upside this gives that same Bulldog coaching staff a chance to catch up. To remind Nkemdiche of how much easier it will be for his parents to get to Athens than to Baton Rouge or Tuscaloosa. For him to hear rumors of Nick Saban going back to the NFL. For Georgia’s defense to lead the squad to a banner season in 2012. Again, when you’re not in first place being told that the race just got a little longer can’t hurt.

Robert Nkemdiche Postpones Commitment Announcement

Robert Nkemdiche, the top recruit in the class of 2013, will not make his college decision in May as previously thought.

The defensive end from Loganville, Ga. told the AJC:

"I'm just not ready yet," Nkemdiche said. "This is one of the biggest decisions of my life. I want to go see some new places, and go back to some other places to spend more time with the coaches and to check out the campuses. It's a big decision, and I want to get it right."

"I'm probably going to try to take all my official visits, and then pick the best school," Nkemdiche said. "I probably won't take any visits during the season because I want to stay focused on my main goal - and that's helping our team win another state championship. I'll probably wait until after the season and then go visit schools and stuff."

That's the smart decision. There is little benefit for Nkemdiche to commit early, what with coaching changes and the 2012 season yet to be played. Some may say that Nkemdiche could avoid the phone calls and pestering of the recruiting process by getting the decision out of the way, but that is misguided, as college coaches certainly wouldn't lighten up their contact with the top recruit in the country.

This is the most important decision of Nkemdiche's life to this point, and it only makes sense to make the call based on all available information. And there's sure to be a spot for the 6'5, 265-pound recruit on any roster in the country whenever he wants to commit.

Robert Nkemdiche Adds Mississippi State To List Thanks To Personal Ties

Consensus top 2013 recruit Robert Nkemdiche, a defensive end from Georgia, has been considered a likely Alabama Crimson Tide commit for a while now, with the Georgia Bulldogs and Mississippi Rebels among others hoping for a chance. He's also named the LSU Tigers, Clemson Tigers and a West Coast school or two in his lists.

But after he tweeted during the weekend that he's now considering the Mississippi St. Bulldogs, let's just go ahead and start all over. MSU does not tend to compete for consensus top recruits. So what's that all about?

Brandon Marcello has the story:

Nkemdiche, the son of Nigerian immigrants, was born in Atlanta and lives in the same home as Nick Schuessler, his high school quarterback and a recent MSU signee.

Nkemdiche moved into the Schuesslers' home less than two years ago, when he arrived at Grayson High as a ninth-grader.

Scheussler and Nkemdiche talk about Mississippi State often, considering the possibility of playing together. Schuessler is a two-star quarterback, according to Rivals, who committed to the Bulldogs in January. Dan Mullen's staff hasn't had a lot of contact with Nkemdiche so far, but you can bet it spent much of its week so far trying to change that.

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For more on Bulldogs football, visit Mississippi State blog For Whom The Cowbell Tolls, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

While we’re here, let’s watch some college football videos from SB Nation’s new YouTube channel together:

Georgia Football Recruiting 2013: Mark Richt, Border Wars And Stability

Georgia football recruiting is off to another solid start. UGA blog Dawg Sports joins us to break down their 2013 class progress.

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Robert Nkemdiche No Longer A Lock To Choose Alabama?

Is Alabama no longer the favorite for the nation's top recruit?

Texas Recruiting: Horns Could Join Robert Nkemdiche Derby

Texas may be looking to get in on No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche.

College Football Recruiting 2013: Top 10 Recruits To Watch

Colleges are already fighting over these top 2013 recruits. Yes, Nick Saban's already offered almost all of them. Vist SB Nation's football recruiting hub for more.

Top 2013 Recruit's Biggest Weakness: 'Too Little Body Fat'