Robert Nkemdiche Sets Official Visit Date to Ole Miss: Why LSU Shouldn't Worry

The nation's No. 1 overall recruit for 2013, 5-star defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, has set a date to officially visit Ole Miss.

According to Kipp Adams of ESPN.com, Nkemdiche will visit Ole Miss the weekend of January 25:

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The process is starting to take shape for Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson), the No. 1 prospect in the 2013 class, as he has set his first official visit. His second could be set in the next few days. 

"I set an official to Ole Miss for the Jan. 25 weekend," Nkemdiche said. "I am going to call Les Miles and talk to him about the LSU official this week." 

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Earlier this week Nkemdiche said that he had narrowed down his list down to two schools, LSU and Ole Miss, and those are the two schools that he will focus on with visits.

Oregon, Clemson, Georgia and Alabama were all potential schools that looked to still be in the running for Nkemdiche, but those doors were effectively shut with that statement. LSU and Ole Miss will be the final two in the running, so these upcoming visits could essentially determine the 5-star defensive end's ultimate decision.

Ole Miss has been the major program in the running for Nkemdiche ever since he decommitted from Clemson, so Hugh Freeze and the Rebels have to feel very good about their chances heading into this official visit. Nkemdiche has already visited numerous times to watch his brother Denzel play for the Rebels, and the family ties and pressure to go to Ole Miss seem to make Freeze's program the hands-down favorite to land the stud recruit.

Is LSU on the outside looking in for Nkemdiche heading into this visit, and should the Tigers be worried that Nkemdiche will make a decision during said visit?

The Tigers may be behind Ole Miss in the race for Nkemdiche right now, but I have a funny feeling that this is going to come down to the homestretch. If him committing to Ole Miss was such a forgone conclusion, considering his family ties and interest in the program, why would he have waited for so long to do it?

Remember, Nkemdiche is still looking to set up an official date to visit LSU, and it's not like the Tigers' program doesn't have a lot to offer. LSU boasts a dominant defense on a yearly basis and the Tigers have produced their fair share of elite defensive linemen. 

Also, with Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery heading to the NFL, that opens up room for Nkemdiche to get some major playing time. He'd play early at Ole Miss too, but there's a big-time difference in prestige and national attention between the two programs.

Potentially starting as a freshman at LSU looks much better than starting as a freshman at Ole Miss. That's just a fact.

LSU also has a far better chance to play in a national championship game in the next four to five seasons. Ole Miss is building an impressive program, but the Rebels are nowhere near LSU's level just yet.

While Ole Miss is in good position, this upcoming visit doesn't mean the Rebels are a lock in any way.

It's going to take somewhat of a Hail Mary if LSU wants to overcome Ole Miss for Nkemdiche's commitment. That said, it's not time for the Tigers to worry just yet.

The fact of the matter is, LSU has a lot to offer Nkemdiche.