Nkemdiche no longer a Clemson commitment

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Nov 08 14:51:47 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON – Sources have confirmed to TigerNet that Loganville (GA) Grayson defensive end Robert Nkemdiche Robert Nkemdiche
Defensive End
6-5, 275
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile is no longer considered a commitment by the Clemson coaching staff.

However, the Tigers are going to continue to recruit Nkemdiche, and the source told TigerNet that the coaches still believe Clemson is the team to beat over Ole Miss.

Nkemdiche is the 5-star defensive end prospect that is considered to be the nation’s top recruit by most scouting services. He committed to the Tigers in June, joining Grayson teammates Wayne Gallman Wayne Gallman
Running Back
6-1, 195
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile and David Kamara David Kamara
Cornerback
5-11, 185
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile as Clemson verbals.

His recruitment has been drama-filled, however. His older brother Denzel plays at Ole Miss, and his mother has made no secret of the fact that she wants her sons at the same school. The mother is a politician in Nigeria, and recently returned home to add even more drama to the process.

TigerNet learned that Clemson head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile , in an effort to take some of the pressure off of Nkemdiche and put an ease to the constant circus, agreed that Clemson and Nkemdiche would mutually part ways for now. That was confirmed by a source close to the situation this morning.

Nkemdiche has made no secret of the fact that he wants to take all of his official visits, something Clemson’s staff has frowned upon with their commitments in the past. This not only allows Nkemdiche to take his visits, but the source said might actually help Clemson in the long run.

In an article written by the Gwinnet Daily Post, Grayson head coach Mickey Conn said he notified the Clemson coaches of the decision on Sunday.

"I think he's still very interested in Clemson, but he's got a brother (Denzel) who goes to Ole Miss and he's got other schools that he likes as well," Conn said. "He's going to clear his mind and take some other visits."

Conn said he expects Nkemdiche to take his time with this decision with a likely decision on National Signing Day, Feb. 6.

"At this point, I think it's a family decision," Conn said. "The family's going to get together and make the best decision for Robert."

Again, we want to reiterate – this appears to be a mutual decision that hopefully lessens some of the pressure Nkemdiche has been under. It will allow Clemson to continue to recruit to fill needs, while allowing Nkemdiche to finish his visits and sit down and talk with his family before making a decision. Also, the Clemson coaches feel confident at this point that the Tigers are still the team to beat.