Having already flung himself out a fourth-floor window, Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche has thrown his hat into the 2016 NFL Draft.
Via the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Nkemdiche has been suspended for the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl game, and has subsequently said he’d forego his senior season for a shot at the pros.
“Last week, our athletics director (Ross Bjork) and I informed Robert that he will not be joining us for the bowl game,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement. “In addition, Robert has decided to declare for the NFL Draft, and we will continue to support him as he prepares for the next chapter in his life.
“I look forward to sharing with NFL general managers and scouts what a unique and talented individual he is. Robert has made an immeasurable impact on our program, and we are forever indebted to him. He and his family will always be part of the Ole Miss family.”
His talent is clear, and his individuality isn’t really in question either, after the Atlanta incident which effectively ended his college career. He was arrested for possession of marijuana after falling out of his hotel window, with a bush underneath it likely saving him from serious injuries.
“While I wish I could have finished this journey with my team, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program, and I am ready to begin the next phase of my life,” he said in the statement. “I have learned a valuable lesson in the last week, and I look forward to showing NFL personnel that this is not representative of my true character. I want to thank my coaches, my teammates and Rebel Nation for their support these past three years, and I look forward to making them proud for years to come.”
Now, he’s expected to be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft, as most teams will likely choose to ignore his defenestrating himself in favor of his potential as a disruptive interior lineman.
