Gwinnett Daily Post

Robert Nkemdiche made a commitment to Clemson over LSU, Georgia and Alabama.

The announcement college football fans have anxiously been waiting for came about eight months sooner than expected

Grayson defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, the nation's No. 1 ranked college prospect, committed to Clemson on Thursday.

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Nkemdiche chose the ACC champions over national champion Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss and dozens of other scholarship offers.

"He was always high on Clemson," Grayson athletic director Brent Tisdale said.

Nkemdiche confirmed via text to the Daily Post that he committed to Clemson, but was unavailable for comment.

Nkemdiche announced this spring that he would make his college decision in May after Grayson's spring football game. However, he was not ready at the time and planned to make an announcement on National Signing Day in February.

Nkemdiche was in Clemson this week for a three-day camp with his head coach Mickey Conn and some of his teammates. Conn was teammates with Clemson head coach Dabo Sweeney at Alabama.

Nkemdiche's best friend and cornerback David Kamara committed to Clemson on Wednesday. They join running back Wayne Gallman, who committed to the Tigers in April.

"I know the whole football world is wondering 'What is he thinking?,'" Tisdale said. "It boils down to the family environment at Clemson with Dabo and his staff. It probably helped having his buddies David and Wayne up there, too."

Nkemdiche's commitment gives Grayson five Division I commitments, joining defensive linemen Jack Banda (Arizona) and Zach Barnes (Tennessee).

Nkemdiche was a unanimous No. 1 ranked college prospect by recruiting services Scout, Rivals and ESPN.

Nkemdiche led Grayson to the Class AAAAA state championship last season. He had 18 sacks on defense and rushed for 528 yards and 17 touchdowns as a running back on offense.

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