I think this whole issue is mainly a bunch of sour grapes being stirred up by schools and reporters that are just pissed because Clemson got Robert Nkemdiche. This is Big Boy recruiting and it is ugly sometimes.
Let’s say for the sake of the discussion that Dabo is going to hook up some of his school buddies and bring them along. Is that really a big deal? I mean, we can’t pay them legally or give them any kick-backs…..so are we saying we cannot offer a few buddies a ride if we have the slots available to take a chance?
Let’s face it, how many 4-5 star players ends up being real busts out of a recruiting class while the 2-3 star with a little development turn out to be
solid ball players?.............To a degree, almost every recruit you bring in is a roll of the dice.
If Robert Nkemdiche turns out to be the player he is projected, the it is worth taking the chance on a few recruits. If a few of them turn out to be good college ball players then so be it…...
Wheeling and Dealing to get top athletes to play at a college has been going along forever and we never hear about it. You don’t think Nick Saban, Urban Myer just to name a few have never hooked up a top recruits “homies” to get a player to commit?
Bottom line is Dabo is recruiting like the big boys and they don’t like it because he is good at it and is cutting into their prosperity. If Dabo folds on this I will be pissed at him.
Non-issue. It would have been better if Nkemdiche could have worded his statement differently, but I have no problem with the point which he was trying to convey. In my opinion, he was simply saying that he would love to play college football with as many of his high school teammates as possible. Unlike some other people, I don’t think he was trying to use this as some sort of ultimatum where Clemson either offers his teammate or he will look elsewhere.
The guy is using the only leverage he has. Coaches do this all the time. It’s nothing when that happens, but if a kid trying to look out for his friend does it… it’s a crime. I think it’s really a nonissue also. It just seems like everyone wants to to take it to the guys who sign a one sided contract to get the school and HC a bunch of money. They then are shuttled through classes that rarely serve them well after school, adn basically have nothing but a wrecked body to show for it.
Non issue. Not worried about it. Honestly we need to get some depth on defense especially in the secondary…....bring Carter along. If you watch Carter’s film he really isn’t that bad, he wouldn’t be a total waste. He seems fundamentally sound and physical. He isn’t as fast as you would want, but again….he seems fundamentally sound. Its quality depth, I love how physical he is….he ATTACKS the ball. Seems to be a good open field tackler too.
Yet another example of how recruiting is completely out of control. A college scholarship is worth a bunch of money to anyone let alone a football program that only has a few to give out. To think a 17 year old can strong arm business like that is a sad commentary of where things are in this regard.
If the other kid isn’t good enough or better than someone else on the board, I wouldn’t offer him. It’s that simple.
UPDATED: On late Friday night, Nkemdiche tweeted “I don’t like the ajc twisting up my words.” I then contacted Robert to see what specifically he was referring to in this article, where he felt like was misinterpreted, and offered to make any clarifications. With this story being picked up nationally, Nkemdiche was apparently upset with how he had been portrayed in some of the other blogs and on message boards. “I didn’t say if Ryan didn’t come [to Clemson] I won’t” — which is true. We reported that a Clemson offer to Ryan Carter would make Robert’s commitment a “done deal,” which is what he had said repeatedly in our previous interview. Despite his Clemson commitment, Nkemdiche is still being pursued by many other suitors because of his elite prospect status. Colleges will be trying to convince him to talk with their coaches and visit their campuses until signing day. With the “done deal” comment, Big Rob wasn’t making demands out of Clemson, but rather simply trying to help a teammate get a good look. (On a personal note, I thought that was refreshing because some elite prospect are self-absorbed, while Big Rob goes out of the way to try to help others). I asked Nkemdiche if there was anything else he wanted to say to the public. “It’s all good.” What do I think? I’ve been wrong before and will be again, but I think the possibility for Robert to have serious flirtations with other schools pretty much ended when Schuessler announced he was transferring to Clemson. That was big for Clemson. Even though Schuessler will join the program as a preferred walk-on, he is a legit D1 prospect and will likely earn a Clemson scholarship sooner than later. And again, Nkemdiche and Schuessler and his family are really close. Bottom line: Barring some unforeseen turn of events, there are just too many good things in place at this point (Kamara and Schuessler, proximity to home, Swinney’s impression, etc.) for Robert to sign anywhere else but Clemson.
Now he is suddenly a good kid trying to get his friends a good look…..LOL
Who cares the guy will probably either bomb or end up wearing an Ole Miss cap anyway. I think it’s hilarious that clemson is selling their soul for a guy who hasn’t played his senior year in high school yet. I could maybe see offering the four 3 stars but Carters only offer was Arkansas State. Once again clemson is the laughing stock of college football.
Who cares the guy will probably either bomb or end up wearing an Ole Miss cap anyway. I think it’s hilarious that clemson is selling their soul for a guy who hasn’t played his senior year in high school yet. I could maybe see offering the four 3 stars but Carters only offer was Arkansas State. Once again clemson is the laughing stock of college football.
I think our 19 championships say otherwise. I think a team more worthy of the “laughing stock of college football” would be a team who’s only one a single lonely championship but think’s it’s invincible because it’s currently at the pinnacle of the program’s success (which doesn’t include any championships).
Funny how he would be such an asset to EVERYONE, including South Carolina, before he chose Clemson. Now its, oh he’s a scrub, he hasn’t played a down, he won’t be Clowney, he couldn’t make it in the SEC, etc etc. Fans of other schools are jealous and bitter.
Who cares the guy will probably either bomb or end up wearing an Ole Miss cap anyway. I think it’s hilarious that clemson is selling their soul for a guy who hasn’t played his senior year in high school yet. I could maybe see offering the four 3 stars but Carters only offer was Arkansas State. Once again clemson is the laughing stock of college football.
I think our 19 championships say otherwise. I think a team more worthy of the “laughing stock of college football” would be a team who’s only one a single lonely championship but think’s it’s invincible because it’s currently at the pinnacle of the program’s success (which doesn’t include any championships).
No 70-33 three straight beatdowns to us and dabo’s juvenile antics say otherwise. You cu guys love your history probably because the present is so hard to swallow.
Who cares the guy will probably either bomb or end up wearing an Ole Miss cap anyway. I think it’s hilarious that clemson is selling their soul for a guy who hasn’t played his senior year in high school yet. I could maybe see offering the four 3 stars but Carters only offer was Arkansas State. Once again clemson is the laughing stock of college football.
I think our 19 championships say otherwise. I think a team more worthy of the “laughing stock of college football” would be a team who’s only one a single lonely championship but think’s it’s invincible because it’s currently at the pinnacle of the program’s success (which doesn’t include any championships).
No 70-33 three straight beatdowns to us and dabo’s juvenile antics say otherwise. You cu guys love your history probably because the present is so hard to swallow.
Our “token” Chicken fan on here is about as predictable as they come. Our Soccer Team (and your baseball team) has a more impressive trophy case than your football team.
What in Blazes will you do when we take you bozos down this year and no longer have the once every 40 year win streak to boast about?.........I guess you will live off other teams victories over us like you are doing now. As for RN, USCjr wanting him as bad as we wanted Clowney so that dog won’t hunt.
So speaking of recruiting…...we just got Ryan Jenkins, boom. So, who’s next to add to the arsenal? Is it July 20 yet? Could be a monumental day for Clemson recruiting. For not getting much if anything out of GA last year we sure are hitting it hard this year.
So speaking of recruiting…...we just got Ryan Jenkins, boom. So, who’s next to add to the arsenal? Is it July 20 yet? Could be a monumental day for Clemson recruiting. For not getting much if anything out of GA last year we sure are hitting it hard this year.
“70-33 will hurt recruiting” ehhh
I am pretty sure that Robert Nkemdiche had nothing to do with this one…
Michael Carvell of the AJC is now trying to walk back his story. What you should understand is the AJC is a pro-UGA rag. Their ‘readers’, for lack of a better term, are apoplectic over losing another top-rated Georgia prospect to yet another out-of-state school. So, in typical blogger fashion (no offense to our fine hosts at SPS) he attempted to create a story where there was none to rile the fan base and attract attention. Well, I think he got more than he bargained for, thus this story was posted yesterday. What follows is what the original story should have been (if Carvell wants to be considered legitimate, if not an actual journalist).
Robert Nkemdiche is a lot of things, including most notably the nation’s’ No. 1 college football prospect.
He’s also a 17-year-old kid who has done an enormous job of handling the pressures of being in recruiting’s biggest spotlight.
Nkemdiche created a stir (some positive, mostly negative) when he told the AJC it was a “done deal” with his commitment to Clemson if the Tigers offered one of his high school teammates, safety Ryan Carter, a D1 prospect with football scholarship offers from Ole Miss and Southern Miss, among others.
Clemson-bound DE Robert Nkemdiche (AJC)
Nkemdiche has never made it a secret that he wanted to play with his two best friends, DB David Kamara (who is committed to Clemson) and Ryan Carter. They’ve all been best friends since middle school, and had a lot of success together on the football field. They’re like brothers. They’re like family.
In our past conversations, Robert has often talked about how blessed he feels to be in his current situation. He’s also expressed a desire to help out his teammates in any way to get them some of the same opportunities. Robert has pointed out Grayson teammates that he felt deserved more attention, and also makes an effort to talk about them to college scouts.
In fact, Nkemdiche’s initial trip to Clemson, when he began to fall in love with the place, happened when he tagged along with buddy David Kamara on Kamara’s unofficial visit.
That was the context behind Nkemdiche’s “done deal” comment – to help another friend get a good look. He wasn’t using it as a power play. He did not indicate he’s entitled. He’s not holding Clemson “hostage” for another scholarship. It wasn’t about any of alleged wrongful intentions discussed this weekend across the Internet and on message boards.
It’s unfortunate because I know he’s nothing like that.
When you think about No. 1 guys, Robert has handled his pressure-cooker with a lot of maturity and thoughtfulness.
At one point, Robert toyed with the idea of committing earlier in the spring but decided to wait for several reasons, including these: So he could visit some of his favorite schools again, but also so college scouts would stop by Grayson to notice and evaluate his teammates during spring practice.
When Nkemdiche finally did commit, he didn’t schedule a national TV press conference. He didn’t sit in front of a table of baseball caps. He didn’t send out a press release. That’s just not Robert’s style.
The nation’s No. 1 prospect committed at a Clemson summer camp in front of his coach and a few teammates. It was low key but worked just fine for Robert because he was with many of his inner circle. Then he let a few reporters know about it and had only a few comments, preferring to avoid an avalanche of attention upon himself – which, of course, is unavoidable when you’re No. 1.
This summer, when other top prospects paraded around the camp/combine circuit, Nkemdiche has kept a low profile at Grayson High School, working out and training with his teammates. Yes, it’s true his coach preferred for Nkemdiche to hang around because he was injured at a camp last year. But Robert never really lobbied him on the issue because his focus is the No. 1 ranking – not as a prospect, but with Grayson’s football team, the reigning state champions.
Robert Nkemdiche’s is the best prospect out of high school that I’ve seen out of Georgia in 20+ years. There will be many stories written about him for years to come. He shouldn’t be judged on anything you’ve read anywhere this week.
UPDATED: On Sunday, Nkemdiche said his Clemson’s commitment would not be affected by what happened between Ryan Carter and the Tigers, according to NYT’s Adam Himmelsbach.
“Of course I would want to play with him,” Nkemdiche said of Carter. “But if it doesn’t work out, I’ll still go to Clemson.”
Nkemdiche said he never demanded that Clemson’s coaches pursue Carter; he said Carter joining him at Clemson would simply make a good situation better.
“I didn’t give Coach Swinney an ultimatum about anything,” Nkemdiche said. “I hope he doesn’t feel obligated to offer anybody a scholarship because of my commitment.”
