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Mississippi’s Nkdemdiche Should Be a Heisman Candidate

By Brandon C. Williams

Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) steps up to the line during the game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nkdemdiche may be one of the best players in the game today

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A defensive player hasn’t won the Heisman since Michigan CB Charles Woodson took home the award in 1997, and while Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott is among the prime candidates for this year’s trophy, one of the most popular college football websites feels a second Southeastern Conference player — one who plays on the defensive side — should be in the midst of the conversation.

Ethan Levine of Saturday Down South feels that Mississippi sophomore defensive end Robert Nkemdiche is a sleeper for the Heisman, stating that the 6’4, 290-pounder has a good chance to be among the finalists when the award is announced on the night of December 13.

“Nkemdiche is barely 20 years old, and the man he bowls over like a stuffed animal weighs at least 300 pounds,” writes Levine in his piece referencing the Vine below. “Kids his age aren’t supposed to be capable of things like that. And most aren’t, which is why Nkemdiche deserves some Heisman consideration despite his pedestrian numbers.”

Nkemdiche’s numbers don’t stand out, as he and the third-ranked Rebels host Tennessee on Saturday night. He has 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback sack, a QB hurry and a pass breakup in six games, yet it’s Nkemdiche’s natural ability to create havoc that has Levine strongly convinced Nkemdiche is one of the top players in the nation.

For a further example, Levine uses a play during Mississippi’s win over Alabama as a shining reason as to why Nkemdiche belongs in the Heisman chase. As the video below shows, while Nkemdiche looks irrelevant on the play, he is actually a key reason behind this game-altering moment.

Ole Miss defensive line coach Chris Kiffin told Fox Sports the video above was “the most violent thing I’ve ever seen on a play.”

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