Robert Nkemdiche: Good news for UGA with nation’s No. 1 overall prospect

There’s some good news between UGA and Robert Nkemdiche, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 overall college football prospect for 2013.

The Bulldogs have cracked the Top 5 for Nkemdiche (pronounced Kim-dee-chee), the 6-foot-5 and 270-pound defensive end from Grayson High School.

“In no particular order, my Top 5 is Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss, Clemson … and, um, I like South Carolina, and I’m going to visit Florida and Florida State,” Nkemdiche told the AJC on Sunday night.

Mark Richt has built a good enough relationship with Robert Nkemdiche to now be considered a top contender for the nation's No. 1 prospect (AJC)

Mark Richt has built a good enough relationship in recent weeks with Robert Nkemdiche to now be considered a top contender for the nation's No. 1 prospect (AJC)

Nkemdiche’s next two unofficial visits are scheduled for LSU on March 17 and Vanderbilt on March 24. The 5-star prospect has taken recent tours of Alabama, UGA, Ole Miss and Clemson.

What’s the deal with UGA? The Bulldogs did not make some of Nkemdiche’s more recent Top 5 lists but have been gaining ground since his UGA visit last month. What changed?

“That visit was really the first time I got any one-on-one time with Coach [Mark Richt],” Nkemdiche said. “I went up there, I had a great talk, and we’ve been talking a lot since then. I feel like I have a good relationship with Coach Richt. I think he’s a good man.”

What’s next with UGA? Nkemdiche said he may go watch a spring practice at both UGA and Alabama in April.

“I’ve got good vibes about Georgia,” he said. “I feel like Coach Richt really likes me as a person and a football player, and I really Georgia. It’s close to home and they played good on defense last season.”

Alabama is still considered the school to beat for Nkemdiche. “Alabama is, I mean … Alabama. I feel like they are a winning program. If I picked Alabama, there would be no ‘cons’ about me going there. There are nothing but ‘pros’ about Alabama.”

Clemson is the newest contender for Nkemdiche after he took an unofficial there this weekend. Nkemdiche actually went as the guest of his high school teammate, Grayson DB David Kamara, who is being scouted by Clemson.

“It was great; Coach [Dabo Swinney] is a nice dude,” Nkemdiche said. “All of the coaches are cool. I got to walk down the hill and touch the rock. It was all good. I have a good vibe about Clemson.”

Nkemdiche claims he does not have a favorite school but he did tell the AJC about another thing that may factor into his college decision: He wants to play on the same college football team as Kamara, his best friend since the sixth grade at McConnell Middle School.

Robert Nkemdiche (left) and David Kamara have been best friends since the sixth grade

Robert Nkemdiche (left) and David Kamara have been best friends since the sixth grade

“He’s a real good cornerback, and that’s my closest friend,” Nkemdiche said. “I love hanging out and playing football with David. He’s like my brother. I’m with him all the time. I would like to go to college with him. He’s a good person, and a hard worker on the football field. There are a lot of good things about him. He can help a team.”

Would they be a package deal? Nkemdiche stopped short of declaring that, but said, “Wherever we feel like we can go together and both have an offer from, that will work out for us.”

Nkemdiche has also been mentioned in the past as part of a “package deal” with his brother, Denzel Nkemdiche, who is a freshman DB at Ole Miss. However, Denzel has always been the one to emphasize that it’s the wish of his parents that the two brothers play together in college. Then again, Robert visited Ole Miss last week and gave it a thumbs up.

Who is David Kamara? He’s a speedy and physical cornerback on the defense that propelled Grayson to last season’s Class AAAAA state championship. Kamara is 5-foot-11, 185 pounds and has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.5 seconds. His film (see below) is being evaluated by Clemson, Ole Miss, Maryland, Vanderbilt, UGA and Alabama. He is no relation to Norcross RB Alvin Kamara.

“We’ve been best friends since Robert moved over here from DeKalb in the sixth grade,” Kamara said. “We just hit it off immediately. I guess we both have laid-back personalities and are always laughing. We both went out for football together for the first time in the seventh grade, and we’ve been playing together ever since.”

When asked about a possible “package deal,” Kamara responded, “We talk about playing together in college. That would be cool and all if it worked out. I mean, it would be a dream. I just know wherever I go to college, I’m going to do whatever it takes to get on the field.”

OVER THE WEEKEND

IT’S NEVER BORING IN THE WACKY WORLD OF RECRUITING

– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog

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Got an item? mcarvell@ajc.com

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415 comments Add your comment

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
2:55 pm

BHam Dawg-
We enjoy heterosexual things too! My 1st Cousin Jeannie is a beautiful woman, shoulda seen her on our weddin’ day! We used her peg-leg to break open the pinata…rained out the most beautiful bouquet of Charms Blowpops, Moonpies and YooHoos you ever seen in your life. I couldn’t wait to get that dress offa her…she had this sweet lil set o’ jorts on underneath…took that pegleg to pry ‘em off, though.

BigTimeTechFan

March 5th, 2012
2:56 pm

He’s not even the best DE in Gwinnett Co much less the nation.

LISTEN UP

March 5th, 2012
3:01 pm

ROBERT N. TELLS AL.COM THAT ALABAMA HAS ALL PRO’S NO CON’S!! THAT’S RIGHT ROBERT N. ALL THE CON’S ARE IN ATHENS!!! LOL!!! CAN YOU SAY
‘FULMER CUP”?!! LOL!!

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:03 pm

Alabama could be the eigth wonder of the world! The other seven were sideshow attractions at a carnival, right?

6IML

March 5th, 2012
3:04 pm

RN has a top five. Why aren’t UGA fans attacking the other three schools on his list. Oh yeah, now I remember. It’s the jealousy and obsession thing.

You guys have nothing on Auburn when it comes to (recent) BAMA envy.

bham dawg

March 5th, 2012
3:05 pm

@AL is awesome… hilarious

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:05 pm

I don’t know about all that, LISTEN UP. Did you see the headlines when Rolando McClain held a guy at gunpoint and fired his handgun right next to his ear? THAT’S DISCIPLINE! I bet he peed himself…

Blackoutanyone?

March 5th, 2012
3:06 pm

bhamdawg…. I have to admit, you do seem to enjoy talking about tbagging more than anyone else on here. As the other poster stated I’m not judging. If your into getting a nice muschroom stamp and someone’s junk dropped on your head then good for you bro. Curious though.. do you consider yourself a meat gazer as well? You sound as though you’ve watched that Krystal video a few too many times.

bham dawg

March 5th, 2012
3:08 pm

@6lML… No one is jealous. The kid has not committed anywhere so why would we be jealous. The only reason we don’t attack the other schools is because they don’t have troll fans that come to the ajc everyday and talk down about our program. Some fan bases are classy and respectful so we return the favor of being respectful. There is not one ounce of respect in the bama nation so don’t demand respect.

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:10 pm

@GTBob

Is he even trying to? Why would GT even attempt to go after the number one prospect in the nation?
———————————————————————————————————————————–
I dont know if you like women or not Bob but you should always at least take a shot at the prettiest girl in the room. Why? You dont think the best prospect in the nation coud help Tech? You dont think he would attract other good prospects that would want to play with him? Is the entire Tech nation as dismissive as you? No wonder CPJ is stealing two million dollars a year.

Catspaw

March 5th, 2012
3:10 pm

He’s going to BAMA!

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:13 pm

I’ve watched that Krystal video like six thousand times! There’s nothing better than watching Alabama win it’s 70th BCSNC AND watching some retard LSU fan get humilated by our genitals! The only thing more humiliting than that is actually seeing…our genitals! We demand respect, and if you don’t give it to us, we’ll take it! One “sack full” of Krystal’s at a time…

bham dawg

March 5th, 2012
3:13 pm

Blackoutanyone… you are on here every day of your life so and you are attempting to make fun of me. today is the first day i have ever mentioned teabagging. never seen the video either sorry.

Hey Hey Hey We're the Monkees

March 5th, 2012
3:17 pm

All you haters quit dissing each other and remember those wise pearls of knowledge from that great old song

WE’RE TOO BUSY SINGING TO PUT ANYBODY DOWN!! HEY HEY WE’RE THE MONKEES!!

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:17 pm

@Rick James…
Not a chance. I don’t care if you’re hiding out in a trash can in Singapore…there’s going to be a Tide fan waiting for you to close your eyes and plop that bright beautiful bean bag right on your mug! Eat that! ROOOOLLLLL TIIIIIIIIDDDE!!!!!!!

Last Time in Bryant Denny

March 5th, 2012
3:17 pm

One and Done

SECIsFootball

March 5th, 2012
3:19 pm

bham dawg…Talk down about your program? Do you mean in the same manner you talk down the Alabama program? Just curious?

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:22 pm

To everyone who thought that they were stupid in High School: God invented Alabama’s public school system for your benefit. YOUR WELCOME. ROLL TIDE ROLL…whooooo doooogiieee it’s great to be Crimson Tide fan!

SECIsFootball

March 5th, 2012
3:23 pm

Rick James…you guys seriously need to come up with new material. This happened once and the kid who did it is paying the price and rightfully so. But since you cannot be original, I would say the chances of him going to UGA and ending up being arrested are far greater than you example happening since we see that FAR more often in Athens.

bham dawg

March 5th, 2012
3:25 pm

@SECIsFootball… This is the AJC. I have never been to al.com or bol or any other of your teams sites. You know why? Because i don’t care about Alabama Football or whatever yall terrible fans like to say about Alabama. I come to the blogs that talk about my team and my program. It’s funny how the bammers can’t seem to leave georgia blogs and sites alone, but all they can talk about is how great they are. If you are so great go to bama’s sites there are plenty of them and leave the georgia sites to the real fans.

A person SMART enough to know......

March 5th, 2012
3:26 pm

Rick James no he will be the Drunk Male assaulting Women in public if he goes to UGa. You did get that right.

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:26 pm

@SECIsFootball

Rick James…you guys seriously need to come up with new material. This happened once and the kid who did it is paying the price and rightfully so. But since you cannot be original, I would say the chances of him going to UGA and ending up being arrested are far greater than you example happening since we see that FAR more often in Athens.
————————————————————————-
I totally diasgree..

A person SMART enough to know......

March 5th, 2012
3:28 pm

bham dwag we just like to talk about your team and students and coaches and ADs and boosters too. They make for such entertainment with all the crap they do to get attention.

GTBob

March 5th, 2012
3:29 pm

I dont know if you like women or not Bob but you should always at least take a shot at the prettiest girl in the room.

Lets say that to get the prettiest girl in the room you have to put in tons of hours of effort and compete with all of the best looking guys in the room. Meanwhile, because of all that effort you are giving the prettiest girl, the other slightly less pretty girls are now not interested because you haven’t really been paying attention to them. Therefore you go home alone. Was the prettiest girl worth all the effort? Trying hard to get the number one recruit in the nation when you rarely ever even sign a 5 star player is beyond a waste of time.

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:29 pm

If you don’t believe in reincarnation just ask Nick Saban. He’s the second life of Bear Bryant, Vince Lombardi and Bobby Dodd all in one sweet package. If they gave awards for “Most Awesome Man Alive” he’d be a close first to Hank Williams and Bobby Allison!

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:29 pm

@A person SMART enough to know……

Rick James no he will be the Drunk Male assaulting Women in public if he goes to UGa. You did get that right
———————————————————————————————————————————–
I have yet to see anyone associated with UGA caught sexually assualting anyone on tape.But as far as bammer goes…….

A person SMART enough to know......

March 5th, 2012
3:32 pm

Rick I didn’t say SEXUALLY.

SECIsFootball

March 5th, 2012
3:32 pm

bham dawg…I guess your UGA did not teach you deductive reasoning. If so you would be able to figure out why Alabama fans come to this blog. I will explain it for you though so pay attention. Alabama fans come to this blog to discuss players who Alabama is recruiting and feel pretty good about getting. Robert Nkimdiche is one of those players, hence the Alabama fans being on this board. I figured since UGA alums are so smart, you would be able to figure this out. Its really just that simple. But when BAMA fans come on here to talk football and you hear we feel we have a good chance at landing a kid like Nkimdiche, you personally resort to comments about teabagging. One person does that an you tied it to all Alabama fans. I guess since I have seen a few in the past, it is safe for me to assume that all UGA fans are drunk, obnoxious people with fewer manners than Auburn fans. You know, since we are stereo typing and all. But then again, I know better than that so I dont make those dumba$$ comments.

SECIsFootball

March 5th, 2012
3:33 pm

Rick James….remind us again why Zach Mettenburger was kicked off the UGA team?

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:36 pm

@A person SMART enough to know……

Rick I didn’t say SEXUALLY.
————————————–
I did..That was the topic,sexual assualt caught on tape.Committed by bammer fans renacting the scene from the movie Delieverence

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:40 pm

Yeah Bham Dawg! Tide fans stick together! We’re the type of guys that will bail you outta jail when you plant your junk on some moron’s face at Krystal’s. Serves him right. We know not to pass out next to each other when we’re drinking! And if we do, we just pull the paper bag off our girlfriend’s head to protect ourselves. That’s just prudent thinking. Get him SECisFootball! I’ll hold him down and you put your crotch on him!

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:40 pm

@SECIsFootball

Rick James….remind us again why Zach Mettenburger was kicked off the UGA team
—————————————————————————————————————–
I dont know,I never saw the police report nor the video.

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:44 pm

@GTBob

Lets say that to get the prettiest girl in the room you have to put in tons of hours of effort and compete with all of the best looking guys in the room. Meanwhile, because of all that effort you are giving the prettiest girl, the other slightly less pretty girls are now not interested because you haven’t really been paying attention to them. Therefore you go home alone. Was the prettiest girl worth all the effort? Trying hard to get the number one recruit in the nation when you rarely ever even sign a 5 star player is beyond a waste of time
———————————————–
Your attitude reminds me people who earn minimun wage and cant escape their mind set..

SECIsFootball

March 5th, 2012
3:44 pm

Rick James…the exact response I expected.

A person SMART enough to know......

March 5th, 2012
3:44 pm

Well RICK JAMES what did you hear about why ZACK METT was kicked off the team? So if you see it on VIDEO then it is Real and True but if you just hear about it from witnesses it doesn’t matter. Did you See the Video of the Red Panties in Damon’s lap or the DUI road test?

CDawg

March 5th, 2012
3:44 pm

What is CMR doing?? He is letting Alabama raid our state for our top players again. This has to stop.

6IML

March 5th, 2012
3:45 pm

Rick,

Deliverance is set in rural Georgia. So the chances are pretty good that its about UGa fans.

bham dawg

March 5th, 2012
3:45 pm

@A Person Smart Enough to KNow… That’s why you and your fan base are the classiest in college football.

Big Crimson 75

March 5th, 2012
3:45 pm

b’ham —
-it’s a free country
-I live in metro atl — so technically this is as much my newspaper as it is yours
-it’s much more fun going back & fro with UGA fans than AU fans
……and did I mention — it’s a FREE Country dude — if you don’t like it — move to Afghanistan.

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:48 pm

@Alabama is AWESOME!

@Rick James…
Not a chance. I don’t care if you’re hiding out in a trash can in Singapore…there’s going to be a Tide fan waiting for you to close your eyes and plop that bright beautiful bean bag right on your mug! Eat that! ROOOOLLLLL TIIIIIIIIDDDE!!!!!!
————————————————–
You sound the guy that supplied Harvey Updyke with his pestiside..

SECIsFootball

March 5th, 2012
3:49 pm

bham….you come on here and stereotype the entire fan base as teabaggers and then you question the classiness of Alabama fans. Allll righty then.

A person SMART enough to know......

March 5th, 2012
3:49 pm

Rick James I guess You would sign up for a 26.2 marathon without working your way up to that accomplishment? Your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Somethings you have to work your way up to accomplishing.

6IML

March 5th, 2012
3:50 pm

This positive article about UGa football (with a marginal mention of BAMA) has garnered three pages of comments. An article about BAMA and Saban leads to 14 pages of comments. UGa IS trending down.The AJC will respond with at least two more articles about BAMA and Saban, this week. They may have to fabricate something to stretch it to two articles, but it will happen.

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:50 pm

@6IML

Rick,

Deliverance is set in rural Georgia. So the chances are pretty good that its about UGa fans
————————————————————————————————————————
Obviously didnt read,cant read or chose to ignore what I said in the post.

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:52 pm

This country is freer than my tackle box when it’s been dropped on your dome piece! It’s so much fun going back and forth…and back and forth…and to and fro…and to and fro…with UGA and AU fans! Sometimes, they even push back. Nothing better than a Saturday in Tuscaloosa, my friend! Except the Sunday after when we’re celebratin’ another win over some worthless team! Can’t wait till we win our 71st BCSNG. Then I can listen to you losers cry about our grayshirts and bagmen all over again! Bagmen…ha! Gotta love those Sweet Home Alabama puns…

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:52 pm

@A person SMART enough to know……

Rick James I guess You would sign up for a 26.2 marathon without working your way up to that accomplishment? Your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Somethings you have to work your way up to accomplishing
————————————————————————————————————————————
Hmmm,ok..I guess you understand this post.

A person SMART enough to know......

March 5th, 2012
3:54 pm

bham dwag MANY of the UGa fan base are hated because you are Classless Drunks that say things at the games around women and children that cross the line. I am not talking student kids. I am talking grown men. Don’t tell me about the Class of UGa fans. I haven’t been back to Athens since 98 and don’t ever plan to return.

GTBob

March 5th, 2012
3:54 pm

Your attitude reminds me people who earn minimun wage and cant escape their mind set..

And your attitude reminds me of all of the aspiring rappers out there who choose not to go to school or become contributing members of society because they are chasing the dream and not living in reality.

Rick James

March 5th, 2012
3:55 pm

@Alabama is AWESOME!

This country is freer than my tackle box when it’s been dropped on your dome piece! It’s so much fun going back and forth…and back and forth…and to and fro…and to and fro…with UGA and AU fans! Sometimes, they even push back. Nothing better than a Saturday in Tuscaloosa, my friend! Except the Sunday after when we’re celebratin’ another win over some worthless team! Can’t wait till we win our 71st BCSNG. Then I can listen to you losers cry about our grayshirts and bagmen all over again! Bagmen…ha! Gotta love those Sweet Home Alabama puns…
——————————————————————————
This folks is one of the reasons the SEC moved the title game from Birmingham to Atlanta.

Alabama is AWESOME!

March 5th, 2012
3:56 pm

@Rick James
I didn’t give Harvey his pesticide. I think he got that from a girl in Mobile. He shoulda wore a jimmy. That pesticide is worse than the clap! ROLLLL TIIIIDE!!!