Grayson defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, the front runner for the No. 1 spot in the 2013 recruiting class, did not disappoint in his season opener. Opposing coach says he might be ready for the NFL as a high school senior.
By all accounts, heralded junior defensive lineman
Robert Nkemdiche did not disappoint in a 7-0 victory for
Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) over Kell.
Nkemdiche was the best player on the field, helping Grayson hold
Kell (Marietta, Ga.) to a paltry 54 yards. He recorded a sack and a tackle for loss.
He also became a major weapon on the Grayson offense, a role he first assumed toward the end of last season.
"It's
hard to stop a guy who's 6-foot-4, 270 pounds and runs a 4.5 40 (yard
dash)," Grayson coach Mickey Conn told MaxPreps correspondent Todd Holcomb after the game. "There's no doubt who's getting the ball. It's a matter of stopping
him."
It was Nkemdiche's touchdown — a plunge from five yards out with seven minutes remaining — that made the difference for the Rams.
Still, it was Nkemdiche's efforts on defense that left an impression on Holcomb, who likened him to
Cameron Heyward, a heralded defensive tackle during his time at
Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.).
"He's
ready to play college football right now," said Holcomb. "He's the only
full-time returning starter on Grayson's defense, and they shut out a
team that went 12-1 last season. It's a great young defense, and Nkemdiche is the ringleader."
Of
all the praise that Nkemdiche has received up to this point, the most
compelling might be from Kell head coach Derek Cook, who was in awe of
his performance on Saturday.
''He has no business playing in high
school. He is ready for college right now physically. He would be a
candidate to go straight from high school to the NFL. He is going to be a
great college and NFL player if he stays healthy and out of trouble,"
he said.
Cook is no stranger to NFL-caliber talent, having
coached Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer and the late Kenny
McKinley, former Broncos receiver.
Nkemdiche's brother, Denzel,
is a freshman at Ole Miss right now, so the Rebels could have an
advantage in Nkemdiche's recruitment, which still appears rather open.
However,
Alabama could be the team to watch. The Crimson Tide has a recent
history of producing top defensive tackles, and Nick Saban has had some
success recruiting the state of Georgia recently, having landed 2012
recruits
Geno Smith,
Kenyan Drake and
Dillon Lee along with prized 2013 linebacker
Reuben Foster.
Nkemdiche headlined the recent release of the
MaxPreps Class of 2013 Top 100 Watch List.
Chad Voytik struggled against Alcoa.
Photo by Randy Sartin
Although
Gunner Kiel and
Chad Voytik
are both top-rated quarterbacks in the class of 2012, neither put forth
a stellar effort in season-opening games on Friday night.
Kiel, the nation's No. 1-ranked quarterback, completed just four of 17 passes for a mere 44 yards in a 28-7 win over Greenwood. He was reportedly victimized by some dropped passes, but still threw two touchdown passes and rushed for 70 yards.
Pittsburgh-bound Chad Voytik had an equally rough start to his senior campaign in Cleveland's opener against
Alcoa (Tenn.). Defending 3A champion Alcoa blanked
Cleveland (Tenn.) 21-0; Voytik was limited to 10 of 19 passing for 119 yards and two intercetpions.
Both Kiel and Voytik should bounce back and enjoy fine senior seasons.
