Recruiting: Nation’s top player commits to Clemson

According to reports, the Nation’s No.1 recruit, Robert Nkemdiche, has decided to play for the Clemson Tigers instead of LSU, Alabama or Georgia in the SEC.

Twitter was abuzz in the early evening saying the stud defensive end had decided to play his football in the ‘Other’ Death Valley.

The player had been recruited across the country, although more heavily by Alabama, LSU, Georgia, USC, South Carolina and Ole Miss.

247Sports, quoting sources, said the player opted for Clemson after an official visit.

In its reasoning why, 247 said: “A day earlier, his close friend, defensive back David Kamara, committed to Clemson – the team’s second pledge from Grayson. Four-star running back Wayne Gallman committed earlier this spring.

Clemson also has some connection to Grayson in that coach Dabo Swinney was a college teammate and road roommate with the prospects’ high school coach, Mickey Conn.”

Nkemdiche had tweeted the movements of his friends at Clemson, although had given no hint that he had decided to play in South Carolina.

BOTTOM LINE: This is a massive coup for Clemson, who had a great season last season by winning the ACC. This pick-up might keep stopping Clemson being Clemson in 2013 – and continue to reignite the rivalry between the Tigers and the Gamecocks.