Take a look at the talented defensive end out of Ole Miss, Robert Nkemdiche.
Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) fights off a Louisiana-Lafayette offensive tackle in the first half at an NCAA college football game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. No. 14 Mississippi won 56-15. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) puts pressure on Auburn quarterback Sean White (13) as he throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) runs to the line of scrimmage in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. No. 14 Mississippi won 56-15. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2015, file photo, Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche stretches before an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Oxford, Miss. Nkemdiche, who was recently charged with marijuana possession after a 15-foot fall at an Atlanta hotel, will not play in the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State on Jan. 1, 2016, and will enter the NFL draft as a junior. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning, File)
Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) fights past Tennessee-Martin offensive lineman Jordan Murphy (75) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi defensive end Robert Nkemdiche (5) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Troy in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Mississippi won 51-21. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) pursues Vanderbilt quarterback Johnny McCrary (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Mississippi defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
*In order to familiarize fans with some of the top names in the 2016 NFL Draft, Chargers.com will be highlighting a different prospect each weekday leading up to the first day of the draft on April 28th. *
We continue the series with a scouting report of Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche.
Name: Robert Nkemdiche
School: Ole Miss
Height: 6-3
Weight: 294 pounds
Position: DT
NFL Network Pro Comparison: Sharrif Floyd
There are few prospects in the 2016 draft class as talented as Robert Nkemdiche.
However, there aren't many that possess more question marks, either.
The defensive tackle possesses a rare skillset with the ability to be a top defensive lineman for years to come. On the field, Nkemdiche is a chiseled 6-3, 294-pounder with outstanding power and elite athleticism. He explodes off the snap, using a quick burst and violent hands to win at the line of scrimmage. Equally adept against the run and the pass, he earned some form of All-American honors each year at Ole Miss totaling 98 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and seven sacks over three seasons.
Pundits laud Nkemdiche as a top-10 pick on talent alone. At the same time, there are some character concerns following an arrest for marijuana possession that led Ole Miss to suspend him for the Sugar Bowl. He also admitted his motor ran hot and cold as he took some plays off in college, explaining how he is determined to play with more consistent, maximum effort in the NFL.
As a result, some believe Nkemdiche will be drafted later than his talent indicates, which is why should his question marks prove unwarranted, he could end up the steal of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Combine Metrics
40-Yard Dash:4.87 seconds
Bench Press: 28 reps
Vertical Jump: 35.0 inches
Broad Jump: 116.9 inches
The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed above do not represent the opinions or policies of the San Diego Chargers' front office staff, coaches or executives.
