Robert Nkemdiche suspended for Sugar Bowl

Robert Nkemdiche will not play for the Ole Miss Rebels in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, as the university suspended him for the game after his arrest.

According to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman, Ole Miss has suspended its star defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche for their bowl game this holiday season. The Rebels will play the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

Nkemdiche’s suspension comes after his arrest in his native Atlanta after falling four stories out of a hotel window while reportedly using synthetic marijuana. Nkemdiche was the No. 1 overall high school prospect in the 2013 graduating class out of Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. He committed to Ole Miss, as his older brother Denzel played for the Rebels.

Nkemdiche has likely played his last game as a collegiate, as his raw talent on the defensive line should have him as a no-doubt first round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Ole Miss will likely have its three studs from the 2013 recruiting class (Nkemdiche, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell) all go in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Ole Miss, who earned an at-large bid in a New Year’s Six Bowl with at 9-3 (6-2) record, will have to play a very strong Oklahoma State team out of the Big 12 in New Orleans without arguably its best player in Nkemdiche.

His arrest in Atlanta may not affect his draft stock all that much, but perhaps Nkemdiche has played his last game for the Rebels as almost a certain entrant into the 2016 NFL Draft. Nkemdiche’s talents should have had him in the top 10 before the arrest. A strong combine and pro day could get him back there come draft time.