It’s no secret that Robert Nkemdiche is one of the best collegiate football players right now. The Ole Miss Rebel is also arguably one of the purest talents in this year’s draft. However, his off field antics could potentially ruin his chances at a pro career.
There was a time when Nkemdiche was almost guaranteed a spot with the Detroit Lions, but now, not so much. Bob Quinn, general manager for the Lions, referred to Nkemdiche as a “red flag player” during a recent pre-draft conference. His character risks have put his draft desire at stake. Red flags aren’t used on draft cards. They’re like a rope around the finger, if you will; something to help remember the risks that come with certain players.
Nkemdiche was once projected as a top-five pick, but his draft stock has fallen after an inconsistent season. With 2.5 sacks and a suspension for his team’s bowl game after a December arrest for marijuana possession, teams are a little apprehensive about selecting him. Plus, he’s admitted to being “lazy” on some plays. Teams have to evaluate the players; it’s just a part of the game. And Nkemdiche’s past antics may come back to haunt him because of it.
Fortunately, his football career has been pretty consistent overall. He will forever be labeled a Georgia high school sports legend. A 2012 graduate of Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, Nkemdiche helped lead the Rams to the GHSA Class AAAAAA State Championship in his junior year. While he didn’t snag a championship his senior season, it didn’t stop him from rushing for 27 touchdowns and adding 25 sacks and to his resume. Nkemdiche was the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year and was also honored as a Second-Team All-American his senior year; he was also an All-American as a sophomore in 2010. He can only hope that NFL front offices are keeping this in mind and taking the good with the bad.
It’s likely that Nkemdiche will end up with a team, but no one is sure where. Some teams may count him out because of what happens off the field, but some may keep him a top pick because of what he’s done on the gridiron. It’s really too hard to tell right now, but the teams are definitely looking. Some experts predict that he’ll be picked up in the first round. One expert pegs him being taken as high as 19th overall by the Bills, while two others say the Denver Broncos will select him with the 32nd pick. It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up.
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Robert Nkemdiche
University of Mississippi
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