Suffice to say that, in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week, Robert Nkemdiche, the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2013, caused a bit of a stir when he told the paper a Clemson offer to his high school teammate would “seal the deal” on his verbal commitment to the Tigers.
The intimation, of course, was that Nkemdiche could look elsewhere if Clemson did not offer a scholarship to unrated defensive back Ryan Carter -- an intimation that, in essence, turned into an ultimatum with the following quote.
“If Clemson doesn’t offer Ryan, it would make me look at Ole Miss a little more, it would,” Nkemdiche said. “It’s very important that I have my boys with me.”
Perhaps as result of the (justifiable) backlash, Nkemdiche spoke to the New York Times and attempted to “clarify” his comments. And by “clarify” I mean “backtrack like a man possessed.”“Of course I would want to play with him,” Nkemdiche told the Times in regards to Carter. “But if it doesn’t work out, I’ll still go to Clemson. ...
“I didn’t give (Clemson head) coach (Dabo) Swinney an ultimatum about anything. I hope he doesn’t feel obligated to offer anybody a scholarship because of my commitment. ...
“I don’t want anybody to think I’m giving ultimatums, because that’s not who I am.”
Attempt at putting the toothpaste back into the tube after very publicly squirting it all over the bathroom sink, mirror and walls? Massive fail.
And, again, good luck to the team that ultimately lands a Letter of Intent signature from Nkemdiche next February.
