Robert Nkemdiche to Clemson: Why the Nation's No. 1 Recruit Spurned Alabama

Recruiting season never stops, and if you didn't know it before, you do now.

Robert Nkemdiche, the nation's No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2013, committed to Clemson on Thursday afternoon, spurning several SEC schools in the process—including Alabama.

So why did he choose Clemson over the mighty Crimson Tide?

It's simple: He enjoys the family atmosphere at Clemson, has a great relationship with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and is concerned about what position he would end up playing had he chosen the Crimson Tide.

Don't believe me? Listen to him yourself (from early June).

There's still plenty of time for Alabama head coach Nick Saban to sway Nkemdiche, and if there's anybody on the planet who's capable of doing that, it's him. But no matter what Saban says, Nkemdiche's concern will be the same.

It's clear that he wants to be a defensive end. While Marcell Dareus proved that being a defensive end in Saban's and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart's 3-4 defense can be a glory position, Nkemdiche's speed may dictate that he move to "Jack" linebacker in a 3-4, and that's clearly a concern to him. 

Nkemdiche has a high comfort level with Clemson. Comfort with the coaches and the system. Alabama can offer the former, but it doesn't provide the latter.

There's still eight-and-a-half more months before National Signing Day. That's a lot of time for Saban to change Nkemdiche's mind.

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