While most recruiting experts fully expect Robert Nkemdiche to sign with Ole Miss next week, the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2013 has decided to throw a little intrigue -- and some Oxford angst -- into the process.
On his Twitter account Thursday night, the uncommitted defensive end and self-described Aceboogie_001 confirmed that he would be taking a visit this weekend to another SEC West school. “LSU tomrrow [sic] what up!” Nkemdiche wrote.
The visit to the Tigers is eyebrow-raising to say the least. Following an official visit to Ole Miss last weekend, Sunday Nkemdiche, the player’s father, told Rivals.com that he “did not expect his son to take any more official visits,” specifically adding “there would not be a trip to LSU this weekend.”
The LSU development is the latest twist that normally comes with the recruitment of the top player in the country.
The Georgia high schooler surprised many by verbally committing to Clemson in June of last year. Five months later, and after some very public posturing on the part of his mother, Nkemdiche surprised almost no one by decommitting from Clemson.
Nkemdiche acknowledged in late December that he was still considering Alabama (his mom’s preference), Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss, although that list was ultimately whittled down to the latter two. The Gators had been in his final three as recently as two weeks ago, although they have (presumably) been eliminated.
Denzel Nkemdiche, the recruit’s brother, is a rising sophomore linebacker with the Rebels and, aside from Hugh Freeze and his coaching staff, is the single biggest reason why Ole Miss is a player in this high-stakes recruiting game.
Nkemdiche is expected to announce his school of choice at 7:30 a.m. ET Wednesday.