Robert Nkemdiche, the consensus top recruit in the country, chose the Clemson Tigers over schools like LSU and Alabama, primarily because Clemson has already accepted commitments from Loganville (Ga.) Grayson High teammates Wayne Gallman and David Kamara. Earlier this month, former teammate and Mississippi State signee Nick Schuessler, a quarterback, decided to forgo his scholarship in Starkville to join Clemson as a walk on. Nkemdiche had previously lived with Schuessler's family. And Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney roomed with Nkemdiche's head coach when the two were teammates at Alabama. There are family connections all over this recruitment.
Will Clemson Offer Robert Nkemdiche’s Entire High School Team?
Now Nkemdiche tells the Atlanta Journal Constitution that he’ll cement his commitment to Clemson if the Tigers take teammate Ryan Carter.
“Clemson said they like Ryan a lot and that he’s at the top of their board. Yes, sir, if Clemson offers Ryan, it would seal the deal. There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it. David and Ryan, those guys are like family. They are like brothers to me. I’m close to them. We’ve had success playing football together and I don’t want to change it.”
Carter is 5’10 and 175 pounds. A safety recruit, his best offers include Ole Miss and Arkansas State. That’s not exactly Clemson material, though it is still early in the process, and he may gain more offers as his name gets out there.
The AJC piece goes on to discuss what might happen if Clemson doesn’t accept Carter.
The question is, when does this end? Package deals are quite common in recruiting, but it is typically a one-for-one situation. This situation is turning in to a two or three-for-one, though Gallman and Kamara are certainly not scrubs.
If it ends here, it would likely be worth it. Clemson desperately needs needs defensive ends, and Nkemdiche is one of the best recruits in a long time at the position.
But what if it doesn’t end here? What if the No. 1 recruit continues to leverage his commitment and attempts to get Clemson to accept even more teammates?
More in: The Robert Nkemdiche saga
