Robert Chukwudumebi Nkemdiche (/kɪmˈdiːtʃi/ kim-DEE-chee;[1] born September 19, 1994) is an American professional football defensive tackle.

He attended the University of Mississippi for three years until declaring early for the 2016 NFL draft where he was picked 29th overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

[3] A native of Loganville, Georgia, Nkemdiche attended Grayson High School, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track.

He played as a defensive end and running back for the Grayson Rams high school football team.

In his junior season, he registered 59 tackles and 18 sacks on defense while also running for 528 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns on offense.

Grayson High School went undefeated throughout the season, finishing 15–0 with a GHSA 6A state title win over Marietta Walton.

Early in the season, Grayson defeated Dalvin Cook's Miami (FL) Central 35–3 in a game that was nationally televised on ESPN.

[5] The Rams went on to a 10–2 season record, and were upset by Mitch Hyatt's North Gwinnett in the second round of the GHSA 6A state playoffs.

[13] In October 2012, ESPN The Magazine reported that Nkemdiche was not firm on his non-binding verbal commitment, and was still considering other schools, including Ole Miss.

[16] Giving her opinion on their sons' college selection, Nkemdiche's mother said she would "love for them to play together, as well as have the power of two".

[18] Robert Nkemdiche indeed committed to Ole Miss on National Signing Day to play college football under head coach Hugh Freeze.

[3] One of the most highly touted recruits in the program's history,[3] Nkemdiche arrived at Ole Miss with plenty of hype, being named the Southeastern Conference (SEC)'s Top Impact Freshman by Sporting News before the season.

Nkemdiche made his college debut against conference opponent Vanderbilt, posting two tackles with a tackle-for-loss and a pass break-up.

After an incident involving marijuana (see below) in December 2015, Nkemdiche was suspended for the 2016 Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State.

[49] Nkemdiche's mother, a politician, returned to Nigeria in 2009 and as of September 2011[update] represents Onitsha South in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

[52] Nkemdiche was conscious and in stable condition when officers reported to the scene, and was immediately transported to Grady Memorial Hospital.