TIGERS LOSE STANDOUT DEFENSIVE END
Clemson University’s football program has put together several impressive recruiting classes in recent years … but Robert Nkemdiche won’t be part of next year’s incoming group of Tigers.
Nkemdiche – the nation’s No. 1 high school football recruit – has decommitted from Clemson, according to ESPN.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive lineman from Loganville, Georgia – who is rumored to be the state’s best high school baller since Hershel Walker – is refusing to comment on his status, however his high school coach told ESPN that he is no longer committed to the Tigers.
Based on prior reports Nkemdiche’s decision hardly comes as a surprise … his family clearly had no desire for him to attend Clemson, and it now looks extremely likely that he will wind up playing football with his brother at Ole Miss. If so, Nkemdiche would become the third consecutive national No. 1 recruit to select a Southeastern Conference school, following 2010 No. 1 prospect Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina) and 2011 top prospect Dorial Green-Beckham (Missouri).
Nkemdiche was recruited by new Tigers’ defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who was brought in from Oklahoma to shore up the Tiger defense after it was shredded for 70 points by West Virginia in the 2012 Orange Bowl. Venables’ unit is currently ranked 70th out of 12o NCAA Division I teams in total defense – giving up 412 yards per game.
The Tigers (8-1, 5-1 ACC) are ranked No. 13 in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings – although their victories have come against teams like Auburn, Furman, Ball State, Boston College, Wake Forest and Duke. Such is life in the “Anybody Can Compete” conference, right?
In fact, as far as we’re concerned the real surprise here is that a player as talented as Nkemdiche ever committed to the Tigers in the first place.
UPDATE: Tiger fans appear to be supremely confident that Nkemdiche will still wind up wearing Clemson orange in 2013. “It’s far from over,” Tiger-friendly sportswriter Tim Matty suggests.
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74 comments
I guess when you have rich parents, money is not an issue. There is no way in hell that Spiller wasn’t getting paid.
Todd,
The NCAA awaits the proof of your Spiller statement. Have you provided it to them yet?
Not all is lost. Clemson has another high school team coming in this weekend for a beatdown. Could be the biggest win yet, as Maryland may be starting a linebacker at quarterback.
Face,
At what point does Clemson (or any other team) become responsible for the players (or lack thereof) on an opposing team?
Let’s go Terps! Fuck Clemson and Dabo…
The ACC is a joke of a football conference. Why would any talented football player prefer an ACC school to an SEC school?
Hell Lou Holtz did the same thing as corey jenkins was a linebacker pretending to be a qb
Short of coming up with the $50 million exit fee, there is not much to be done. One thing fans can do, though, is stop babbling about Tiger Heisman candidates and using stats racked up against comical opponents as evidence.
Nkemdiche was overrated anyway. He’s going to waste what little talent he has at Ole Miss instead of going to a school with a rich tradition of excellence in and off the field. He could have cast his fate with proven champions at Clemson, but he’s blowing on the SEC’s whipping boy. Moron.
how quickly we go from loving him to overrated.
Yep, funny how quickly he became overrated.
Ole Miss, BTW, has more current NFL players than Clemson does. So I doubt he’s going to “waste his talent” there.
Spoken like someone who does not know much about football, basketball or baseball history as it applies to anyone other than Clemson.
While Clemson does have a rich tradition in football, it is no more rich than that of Mississippi.
“…a rich tradition of excellence in and off the field…”, but not in grammar or composition…
being a dumb Clempson fan i can see your reason for this statement but The Fight Hue Freezes are getting better each week and will make some noise in the west next season. Hotty Totty Clempson rock ruber!!
I think he should go where he wants, not where his mom (or his scholarship-needy teammates for that matter) want him to go. I also think he is overrated and should be considering only teams running a 3-4 scheme where he can play end. In a 4-3 scheme, I bet you will not hear much from him unless and until he bulks up to DT size a couple of years down the road.
actually, i think his mom is trying to shake folks down with her odd and public comments, she lives in Africa and he doesn’t live with her or his dad, weird, best of luck, talented and seems like a nice kid
On top of that I heard Sammy Potkins has just announced his tranfer to either Colorado State or Washington
Hey- listen to yo’ mamma, boy! He probably would be more appreciated at Clemson. The tougher the better.
According to ESPN at 2:26 today he’s stated that he has not decommitted from Clemson.
At 2:47 on ESPN, it noted that you are an effing piece of shit.
read that story again. the story on ESPN.com posted at 2:26 does indeed say he decomitted.
ESPN just updated it again at 3:26, its still saying the same thing
I just reread the story, here’s a paragraph straight from the source, third paragraph down:
“”That is just people talking,” Nkemdiche said Wednesday evening. “I have not done anything or made plans to do anything. They are just talking. I have not decommitted from Clemson.””
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/8606729/top-prospect-robert-nkemdiche-decommits-clemson-tigers-says-coach
Ole Folks sure was quick on this (non)story. He signs with Clemson. Write that down. Take it to the bank.
Dabo? Is that you? Write it down? Take it to the bank? Shall I tweet that for you as well.
Sorry Clemson. No #1 for you. Let the professional SEC teams handle the # 1 recruits.
He’l end up at Clemson. Big fish, small pond.
Clowney gets it. This guy doesn’t.
NFL looks at level of competition. The ACC is laughable.
Do you laugh every time you see the ACC championship banner at Willy-Brice?
Lame CNSYD, just lame.
very lame comeback.
Dante and weak,
Well little boys, do you laugh at the banner or not?
I dont even look up at it, so to me that how much I care about it.
weak,
obviously your athletic management does or it wouldn’t be there.
you asked if I laugh not so I cant speak for them. yes I think its a joke.
that was when the ACC was worth a shyatt.
You need to stick to politics Will.
“Robert Nkemdiche won’t be part of next year’s incoming group of Tigers.”
National Signing Day was today? I must have missed it.
Maybe he can sign with the Gamecocks to strengthen their D so they don’t give up so many points to Florida again. That’s some real cracker jack analysis, CNSYD.
Dante,
There is “analysis” on FITS NEWS? When did that start?
South Mauldin, You think that his NFL draft stock would go down if he played at Clemson? Do you believe that a player from the ACC cannot be drafted in the top rounds in the NFL?
Original Good Old Boy, Im sure you know this, but I don’t. How many Clemson alum v. USC alum are on current NFL rosters?
USC has 24. Clemson has 20.
The post will be “moderated” if I provide the link, but google “espn current clemson players NFL” and ESPN has a list of all current players by college.
I saved you the research.
Clemson-25
USuc-21
Ole Miss-21
Must be a fluke……….
Your research is wrong.
its actually 40 for South Carolina and 26 for Clemson
http://espn.go.com/nfl/college/_/letter/s
For South Carolina 40
John Abraham, DE — Atlanta Falcons
Ladi Ajiboye, DT — Seattle Seahawks
Antonio Allen, S — New York Jets
Fred Bennett, CB — Arizona Cardinals
Jasper Brinkley, LB — Minnesota Vikings
Sheldon Brown, CB — Cleveland Browns
Garrett Chisolm, OG — Carolina Panthers
Jared Cook, TE — Tennessee Titans
Emanuel Cook, S — Baltimore Ravens
Chris Culliver, CB — San Francisco 49ers
Clifton Geathers, DE — Dallas Cowboys
Stephon Gilmore, CB — Buffalo Bills
Na’Shan Goddard, OT — New Orleans Saints
André Goodman, CB — Denver Broncos
Tori Gurley, WR — Green Bay Packers
Melvin Ingram, LB — San Diego Chargers
Lemuel Jeanpierre, OG — Seattle Seahawks
Alshon Jeffery, WR — Chicago Bears
Johnathan Joseph, CB — Houston Texans
Jarriel King, OT — Seattle Seahawks
Spencer Lanning, P — Jacksonville Jaguars
Lance Laury, LB — New York Jets
Cliff Matthews, DE — Atlanta Falcons
Jamon Meredith, OT — Pittsburgh Steelers
Captain Munnerlyn, CB — Carolina Panthers
Jamar Nesbit, OG — New Orleans Saints
Eric Norwood, DE — Carolina Panthers
Sidney Rice, WR — Seattle Seahawks
Travian Robertson, DT — Atlanta Falcons
Dunta Robinson, CB — Atlanta Falcons
Weslye Saunders, TE — Pittsburgh Steelers
Ko Simpson, S — Detroit Lions
Shaun Smith, DT — Tennessee Titans
Darian Stewart, S — St. Louis Rams
Ryan Succop, K – Kansas City Chiefs
Rokevious Watkins, OG — St. Louis Rams
Travelle Wharton, OG — Carolina Panthers
Troy Williamson, WR — Jacksonville Jaguars
Rod Wilson, LB — Chicago Bears
Stoney Woodson, CB — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
for Clemson 26
Thomas Austin – Offensive Line, Carolina Panthers
Da’Quan Bowers – Defensive End, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Crezdon Butler – Cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers
Miquel Chavis – Defensive End, Pittsburgh Steelers
Chris Clemons – Safety, Miami Dolphins
Kavell Conner – Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts
Jamie Cumbie – Defensive Tackle – Oakland Raiders
Brian Dawkins – Safety, Denver Broncos
Nick Eason – Defensive End, Arizona Cardinals
Jacoby Ford – Wide Receiver, Oakland Raiders
Maurice Fountain – Defensive End, Seattle Seahawks
Marcus Gilchrist – Cornerback, San Diego Chargers
Tyler Grisham – Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
Chris Hairston – Offensive Tackle, Buffalo Bills
Mike Hamlin – Safety, Indianapolis Colts
Jamie Harper – Running Back, Tennessee Titans
Leroy Hill – Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks
Jarvis Jenkins – Defensive End, Washington Redskins
Byron Maxwell – Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks
Phillip Merling – Defensive End, Green Bay Packers
Michael Palmer – Tight End, Atlanta Falcons
Barry Richardson – Offensive Line, Kansas City Chiefs
Darell Scott – Defensive Tackle, St. Louis Rams
C.J. Spiller – Running Back, Buffalo Bills
Chansi Stuckey – Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
Charlie Whitehurst – Quarterback, San Diego Chargers
get it right,
If you really want to “get it right” you need to research your list. If you intended it to be current players, then it is incorrect. For example, Brian Dawkins retired. You can cull the rest of the list.
this is from ESPN
USC 24
Abraham, John
Atlanta Falcons
Defensive End
Brinkley, Jasper
Minnesota Vikings
Linebacker
Brown, Sheldon
Cleveland Browns
Cornerback
Cook, Jared
Tennessee Titans
Tight End
Cook, Emanuel
Baltimore Ravens
Safety
Culliver, Chris
San Francisco 49ers
Cornerback
Geathers, Clifton
Indianapolis Colts
Defensive End
Gilmore, Stephon
Buffalo Bills
Cornerback
Ingram, Melvin
San Diego Chargers
Linebacker
Jeanpierre, Lemuel
Seattle Seahawks
Guard
Jeffery, Alshon
Chicago Bears
Wide Receiver
Joseph, Johnathan
Houston Texans
Cornerback
Matthews, Cliff
Atlanta Falcons
Defensive End
Meredith, Jamon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Offensive Tackle
Munnerlyn, Captain
Carolina Panthers
Cornerback
Rice, Sidney
Seattle Seahawks
Wide Receiver
Robertson, Travian
Atlanta Falcons
Defensive Tackle
Robinson, Dunta
Atlanta Falcons
Cornerback
Saunders, Weslye
Indianapolis Colts
Tight End
Smith, Shaun
Kansas City Chiefs
Defensive Tackle
Stewart, Darian
St. Louis Rams
Safety
Succop, Ryan
Kansas City Chiefs
Place kicker
Watkins, Rokevious
St. Louis Rams
Offensive Guard
Wharton, Travelle
Cincinnati Bengals
Offensive Guard
Clemson 20
Allen, Dwayne
Indianapolis Colts
Tight End
Bowers, Da’Quan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defensive End
Branch, Andre
Jacksonville Jaguars
Defensive End
Butler, Crezdon
Buffalo Bills
Cornerback
Clemons, Chris
Miami Dolphins
Safety
Conner, Kavell
Indianapolis Colts
Linebacker
Eason, Nick
Arizona Cardinals
Defensive Tackle
Ford, Jacoby
Oakland Raiders
Wide Receiver
Gilchrist, Marcus
San Diego Chargers
Cornerback
Hairston, Chris
Buffalo Bills
Offensive Tackle
Harper, Jamie
Tennessee Titans
Running Back
Hill, Leroy
Seattle Seahawks
Linebacker
Jenkins, Jarvis
Washington Redskins
Defensive End
Maxwell, Byron
Seattle Seahawks
Cornerback
Palmer, Michael
Atlanta Falcons
Tight End
Richardson, Barry
St. Louis Rams
Offensive Tackle
Sensabaugh, Coty
Tennessee Titans
Cornerback
Spiller, C.J.
Buffalo Bills
Running Back
Thompson, Brandon
Cincinnati Bengals
Defensive Tackle
Whitehurst, Charlie
San Diego Chargers
Quarterback
Those lists include a lot of players who simply attended training camp and were later cut.
ESPN has the accurate list of *current* NFL players from each college.
^^^”actually” has the correct lists.
You’re using the CBS alumni tracker which hasn’t been updated to clear out former NFL players. (Ex. Fred Bennett is in the CFL and Stuckey was cut in March.) The ESPN tracker is correct and it’s 24 USC, 20 Clemson.
I did use CBS’s, so I blame them
congrats to Thomas Austin who just signed with the Panthers this week. Good Kid from a good Auburn Family who still love him even though he went to Clempson. Go Big Austin
As long as he doesn’t get any undue influence from his parents, the school, or anyone else, I’m cool with whatever he decides. Let him play for who he wants to play for. Unless these people are going to run the ball for him and do a better job of it, they can stuff it.
It’s 24 USC, 22 Ole Miss, 20 Clemson.
WOW! That little pissing contest sure used a lot of your time.
yep, a whole 30 seconds. all cut and paste off ESPN’s website
problem is I typed it so fast I spelled my name wrong. Thats like 400 points on an SAT or something. I think I can still get in Clemson though
Actually – If not, I’m sure USC would take you as long as your tuition check clears.
petey- I heard thats still more than I would need at clemson.
actaully – Kind of a funny way to spell actually, but none the less, what you’re saying is that both USC and Clemson are extremely easy universities to get accepted to, that it takes little more than filling out an application. Glad I went to school out of state.
you went to school in Greece right Petey? But why i thought all the Pete’s were run by Grease Monkey Greeks with no education and a work visa?
Its funny this was started by a guy that didnt know the answer, tried to make a point, and assumed Clemson had more. (probably by a long shot). The crow he is eating now knowing they dont must be pretty good as he hasn’t come back yet sicne being proven wrong after he said it was a fluke.
funny,
The real point should be about what the former players did both athletically and academically while at their respective schools. Whether they turn out to be an All Pro matters not in relation to college football. For example, Lawrence Taylor was a great pro player. Think UNC is proud of his off the field “accomplishments”?
not all Tigers are role models either, the question was about the # of ex players in the NFL, not which ones are we proud of only if they did charity work or were straight A students. etc. Last year Clemson had a player on an NFL roster that throw a girl down a flight of stairs off the field. (McDaniel). There are kids on both sides that are good and bad. I am a gamecock and I can tell you I like and respect the Hell out of Spiller, but that doesnt mean all Tigers are in his class of person nor Gamecocks (if Lattimore can play again at that level he is a prime example of off the field accomplishment to be proud of. I am not 100% sure of your point here.
funny,
You were close to my point. One problem I have with the Heisman trophy is that it is supposed to be for the best COLLEGE player. Seems it has turned into the college player who will more than likely be All Pro. That is not the same thing. Flute was probably one of, if not the best, college players in his time but he was not a pro hall of famer. But that’s OK. Frank Howard always said he was more proud of his former players that went on to be doctors, bankers, etc. than he was those who just played pro ball.
I agree with you on Lattimore. I would add Shaw.
CNSYD,
I agree with that and with what Frank Howard said about going on to be doctors and lawyers. I had the pleasure to meet Coach Paul Dietzel at the East Carolina game this year as he was getting inducted into the hall of Fame for SC and introduced at halftime. I will leave his name out of it but he was hanging out and ex player from that team, who has gone on to be a very powerful Dr., and highly respected in his field. Out of anyone he could hang with this is who he chose. Class. Now imagine my surprise when just a few weeks later LSU inducted the same coach into their Hall of Fame as well. I saw that on TV. No the gamecock player was not at that one. I also know a few ex Tigers that are very influential in their trades as well. Good guys. People forget football is a sport you play in college, but college is for an education first. Other than Flute to me an prime example of what the Heisman should be is the year it did not go to Peyton. Another one of the best College (and Pro’s) QB’s of all time. Never got in trouble, bleed his orange and white, got involved in the school and community, (and that damn band with rocky top), and what he did on the field speaks for its self. Too bad T Martin is the QB that got them the title, but Peyton kept them in the hunt every year. Only Vol. that I like.
This boy was a punk from the getgo. Take you pansie butt on to Old Miss and dont ever look back. We dont need a primodonna on our team anyway. Oh and make sure you call the coots because they’ll pay you more money than Old Miss.
yabba dabbo doodoo dabo gunna luz 2 dem coots
Stay out of academics SC fans! You do not want to go there at all!
Oh for the love of God just kiss my ass VoiceofReason. You really are the worst kind of person. Your screen name alone screams hypocritical, narcissistic, delusional, and quite frankly pathetic. Putting down educations of people you know nothing about. Only someone like that would think that all SC fans are uneducated, and illiterate. I suspect you got picked on or something as a child (also probably recently as well) and are over compensating by trying to act better than others. It is not working. If you played any kind of team sport, you got a participation award didn’t you? Well it means nothing, so keep your opinions to yourself as you have on many occasions said you don’t care about SC or Clemson, yet here you are again. I know your type and have no need for it. You are a sad little person and I will not waste my time with someone like you any longer. I would bid you good day but I really hope you dont have one.
I searched players CURRENTLY on NFL Rosters…….The point is jackass that obviously the NFL realizes that the ACC, Big 10 and everone else plays on a 100 yard field. Forty yards in Clemson is measured the same as it is at the NFL combine. The notion that one school has superior athletes because of what conference they are in is assinine.
I believe without a doubt that the SEC is the premier football conference. Having said that, USuc sure as fuck has not done anthing to contribute to that.
I’m afraid Robert has a naive impression of Daboo: “A really good dude.”
Daboo screwed Parker royally. Got him to give up a million bucks baseball bonus. Then Parker gets hurt at Clemson, can’t perform as well as the year before, and is rewarded by Daboo shouting “Fuck you. Fuck you.” at him.
Let’s see- the political articles have everyone and their cousin posting rants and raves without any analytics or sources to substantiate their views. The football articles are researched and sourced like a doctoral thesis. And people wonder why South Carolina is so fucked up…
Wow! The ACC has a $50 million exit fee!! Guess what the exit fee is for the SEC: $0. Why is that?