Mother of nation’s No. 1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche says son’s commitment to Clemson is “not final”

CLEMSON - Robert Nkemdiche made a verbal commitment earlier this year to play football for Clemson next season along with several of his Grayson (Ga.) High teammates.

But his mother, Beverly, who is living in Nigeria, told ESPN the process is not complete for the nation’s No. 1 football prospect in the Class of 2013, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive end who can run a 4.6 second 40-yard dash.

“His decision is not final,” she says. “He’s just a teenager, and people are forgetting that. We had never discussed Clemson, and I am unhappy with Clemson. I’m not there, so I don’t know for certain, but I feel like Robert was pressured into this decision.”

Nkemdiche’s mother will return to the U.S. this fall. Nkemdiche told ESPN he is committed to Clemson.

“I’m going to Clemson,” he says. “I want to make an impact and in three years go to the NFL. That’s what I’m going to do. You can put that in bold.”

ESPN national recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill has high praise for Nkemdiche.

“You can argue that he’s the state’s best prospect since Herschel Walker,” Luginbil said. “At this stage, he has a more explosive first step than Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson’s No. 1 overall recruit in 2008. He became ACC Defensive Player of the Year.”