Defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche, who was the top-rated high-school recruit in the nation last year, is ready to return to the Ole Miss lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury.
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Rebels coach Hugh Freeze confirmed Monday that his star freshman will be in action Saturday against Arkansas. Nkemdiche injured the hamstring while pursuing Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel during a home loss Oct. 12, and subsequently missed Rebels wins over LSU and Idaho.
Nkemdiche (6-foot-5, 295 pounds) has made four tackles for loss among 15 stops this season, with two pass breakups. His size will be a welcome addition to an Ole Miss defensive line that has been beset with injuries this year and has played with undersized reserves at defensive end. Nkemdiche has played both inside and outside this year, but primarily has played end.
Freeze indicated the freshman might see limited snaps against the Razorbacks, depending on his stamina after the layoff.
"That will be something we will watch closely," Freeze said, according to sunherald.com. "The snaps these other guys have had, I don't think he has to play an enormous amount of snaps in the game, but if he can be really effective in the snaps he does play, that's going to pay dividends for us."
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