Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Robert Nkemdiche, the consensus number one player in the country, is making headlines once again.
During the week of practices leading up to the Under Armour All American Game, Nkemdiche told reporters he was considering taking an official visit to the Florida Gators. This was relatively surprising considering they were never considered to be in the thick of things with the star defensive end from Loganville, Georgia. It was always the Ole Miss Rebels, Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers and the Clemson Tigers as the longshot.
Not long after the all star game, Nkemdiche announced his final two schools were Ole Miss and LSU, seemingly leaving the Gators in the dust.
Now they might just be making a comeback in the campaign for Nkemdiche’s signature. The prodigious lineman has officially scheduled a visit with Florida set for this upcoming weekend (01/19/13).
Shockingly, with only three weekends left until National Signing Day, this is Nkemdiche’s first official visit to any school.
Florida certainly has a chance to make an indelible impression on the young prodigy, but they’re facing an uphill battle. Ole Miss has been the clear favorite ever since he de-committed from Clemson last fall. Robert’s brother, Denzel, is a star outside linebacker for the Rebels, and their mother is adamant that her boys play together.
If Florida does somehow manager to pull off the stunner come Signing Day, it will be the second time in the last four years that the Gators have signed the number one player in the country. The last was another defensive end, Ronald Powell, in 2010.
In my unofficially expert opinion, I wouldn’t read too much into this visit. Think about it from his perspective- why not take the visit? A free trip to check out the digs of one of the top football programs and party schools in the country? Sure, why not? But in the end, all signs are pointing to him landing with his brother in Mississippi, playing for the Rebels next fall.
After all, mama always knows best.
