Robert Nkemdiche: Why Nations No. 1 Recruit Committing to Clemson Is a Surprise

You probably will not see a bigger surprise throughout the 2013 recruiting class than the one that has taken place today. In fact, it will likely take Western Kentucky to upset Alabama in the second week of the college football season to see a bigger shocker.

(Okay, maybe not that extreme, but still.)

The top recruit in the country, Robert Nkemdiche, has decided to become a member of the Clemson Tigers. That's right, he put off schools such as Alabama, LSU, Florida, Georgia and Texas, for Clemson.

Why is this such a big surprise?

Because Nkemdiche is the top recruit in the country. At 6'4", 270 pounds, as athletic as he is on the defensive side of the ball, he could have played anywhere in the country. Usually we are used to seeing players this talented end up at schools such as the ones he turned down. We don't normally see a top-of-the-line player pick Clemson.

Sure, the Tigers have a good thing going with head coach Dabo Swinney taking over. They finished last year with a 10-4 record, reached the BCS Orange Bowl and have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.

But still, Clemson?

I'm not saying it was a bad choice, but everything that Clemson has to offer, he could have received at any other top program. Quick playing time? I'm sure any SEC team could find room for somebody who already has the body to step on the field right away and contribute.

Those other teams also have a greater chance of winning a BCS National Championship a lot sooner than Clemson does.

Besides, how many times do we see a team like LSU or Alabama lose out on a top recruit? Normally those two schools are the last two left and the recruit has to pick the winner out of a hat. Georgia should have also had a better chance than Clemson, considering the five-star recruit is from Loganville, GA.

Or maybe the joke is on us and Swinney is really turning the page to a program that isn't used to landing top tier talent and has experienced sub-par success. Maybe this is just the beginning of what this program is in for as they continue to rise to the top of the ACC and eventually all of college football.

It may just be another step in the right direction, but still, it comes as a surprise.