There are a lot of intangibles that makes this pretty easy to understand what went into his decision…

1.  His friends are going to Clemson….

2.  Brent Venables being the new DC from OU had to bring some clout.

3.  Being from UGA, his family will get the added benefit of seeing him play against UGa in our 2013/2014 Home and Home not to mention our South Carolina game that is so close as well. We are playing 2 upper level SEC teams within a 2 hour drive from Clemson….that is not bad at all!

4. Clemson is definitely on the upswing and we have demonstrated that freshmen will have the chance to play and make an impact if they have the chops.  Last years recruiting class definitely created momentum.

5.  The media likes Clemson…..good or bad.  You will be seen on TV at Clemson.  When we we on our 8-0 run, there where national stories and tv interviews everywhere you look.  Even when we screw up we still give them something to talk about…but we aren’t ignored.

This call isn’t that surprising.               

garnet_gold - 15 June 2012 01:42 AM

4schitzngrins - 14 June 2012 10:49 PM

I guess this makes up for narrowly losing out on Herschel Walker all those years ago.  Let’s just hope Nkemdiche has half the college career Walker did.

Pump the brakes!!!... Herschel is still the best college football player ever… This kid aint even put the paw on yet.

My point was we narrowly missed out on landing Walker, a highly touted & highly recruited player from UGA’s back yard, & this makes up for that (assuming we can sign him).  I know Nkemdiche hasn’t played in college yet, & I know how good Walker was…that’s why I said I hope Nkemdiche has 1/2 the college career Herschel does.

CU_Tigers4life - 15 June 2012 07:19 AM

There are a lot of intangibles that makes this pretty easy to understand what went into his decision…

1.  His friends are going to Clemson….
4. Clemson…demonstrated that freshmen will have the chance to play and make an impact if they have the chops. 

The one thing that Dabo has never been questioned on his recruiting chops (but poor prep/coaching moves & foot-in-mouth disease, that’s another story).  He’s been doing it since he brought Spiller in, so anyone who is surprised by this really hasn’t been paying attention.

From all that I’ve heard/read, #1 was the biggest issue, & that’s precisely why Clemson went after Kamara.  & the only reason to justify why we were even looking @ Gallman.  We were only slated to take 1 RB this cycle, & considering our other targets & the fact that he’ll never beat out our other RBs for PT, it made no sense to offer Gallman unless it was insurance on a play for Nkemdiche.  Unless Kamara signed w/Sister Mary’s School for the Deaf, Dumb & Blind, Kamara & Nkemdiche package deal.

#4 was also a big factor, but I think the close #2 is the path to the NFL.  There are schools that are considered bigger NFL factories, but regardless of what our players do when they reach the show, Clemson has a solid, recent track record of putting defensive linemen in the NFL.  7 picks over the last 5 years, & 12 over the last decade…w/6 of them going in rounds 1 or 2, & all but 1 going in the first 2 days of the draft.  Some of these were 4*-5* players (Brandon Thompson, Jarvis Jenkins, DaQuan Bowers & Ricky Sapp), but Andre Branch was a 2*, Dorrel Scott was a 3*, Phillip Merling was a 3*, & Gaines Adams was a 2*.  Then there are some more historical, high profile Tiger DL picks…Trevor Pryce, Brentson Buckner, Chester McGlockton, William & Michael Dean Perry.  Not a bad record to recruit on.

Clemson is a good choice for this guy, FSU is loaded at DE and DT right now. I was pretty excited to see Ryan Green sign with FSU. This guy is a serious running back, quick first and second step, breakaway speed.

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2012/6/16/3091244/ryan-green-commits-florida-state-recruit-running-back-notre-dame

Just got Elijah Daniel too.  Our defense is shaping up very nice….

Shaping up in Tally and getting some movement.

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2012/6/16/3092245/2013-predicted-football-recruiting-class

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2012/6/16/3091244/ryan-green-commits-florida-state-recruit-running-back-notre-dame

Green is the one I wanted he leaves defenders like they are sitting still, watch the film.

Oh and Hearns did the gator chop at FSU football camp and they told him to take his arse on back home.

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2012/6/16/3092169/davin-bellamy-enjoys-his-visit-to-florida-state#comments

We brought Jesus on board also, look out.

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2012/6/15/3090313/receiver-jesus-wilson-commits-to-florida-state-seminoles

Seminole - 17 June 2012 02:30 PM

Oh and Hearns did the gator chop at FSU football camp and they told him to take his arse on back home.

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2012/6/16/3092169/davin-bellamy-enjoys-his-visit-to-florida-state#comments

We brought Jesus on board also, look out.

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2012/6/15/3090313/receiver-jesus-wilson-commits-to-florida-state-seminoles

Ahh, Jesus.  I like him very much.  But he no help with curveball.

Could make for some good head lines, Jesus pulls FSU out of the fire.

Clemtgrs - 17 June 2012 01:59 PM

Just got Elijah Daniel too.  Our defense is shaping up very nice….

Now if we could learn how to recruit (& develop) hogs for the OL.

Thats the truth, we can NEVER pull big OL recruits….not sure why, but its what we need the most.  Maybe its the offense type thats run at Clemson?

Speaking of oline.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2012/6/17/3092456/florida-state-commitment-ira-denson-enjoys-big-man-camp/in/2847167

Montravius Adams is coming back to Clemson for another visit on July 20, bodes well.  Kendall Fuller is coming that day as well.  How huge would if be if we were able to snag both and sign all of these guys for 2012 on NSD.  Talk about a potentially nasty defense….wow.  Heres the depth if we were to sign these 2012 guys.

DE - Elijah Daniel/Martin Aiken
DT - Montravius Adams/DeShawn Williams
DT - Carlos Watkins/Josh Watson
DE - Robert Nkemdiche/Shaquille Lawson
LB - Tony Steward/Lateek Townsend/Stephone Anthony/Justin Parker
DB/CB/S - Kendall Fuller/Travis Blanks/Cortez Davis/Bashaud Breeland/Martin Jenkins/Darius Robinson

Adams and Nkemdiche playing next to each other in college is a scary thought….

“We are about to start a dynasty at Clemson.” - Nkemdiche

That’s after another teammate, QB Nick Schuessler, has chosen Clemson.  Our chances look better and better to keep Nkemdiche.