Robert Nkemdiche Named First Team All-American by Scout

After helping Ole Miss to a 9-3 regular season and a second straight New Year’s Six bowl berth, several Ole Miss Rebels have earned All-America honors this postseason, including most recently Robert Nkemdiche as a first-team selection by Scout.com.

A junior defensive tackle, Nkemdiche becomes the 57th first team All-America selection in Ole Miss football history and the 49th individual in program history to earn the honor. The Loganville, Georgia, native is the first Ole Miss defensive tackle to earn that status since Peria Jerry in 2008.

It’s the third straight year that a Rebel has earned first team All-America status. Cody Prewitt was a first-team selection by the Associated Press, USA Today and Lindy’s Magazine in 2013, and Senquez Golson was a unanimous first-team pick last year.

Nkemdiche, who has already announced that he will forego his senior season at Ole Miss and declare for the NFL Draft, has been a dominant force in the middle of the Rebels’ defense. His constant pressure in opposing backfields helps the team rank top three in the SEC and top 21 in the nation in tackles for loss, interceptions and defensive touchdowns.

A finalist for the Hornung Award (which goes to the nation’s most versatile player), Nkemdiche was named second team All-America this season by Walter Camp, Associated Press and Sports Illustrated; third team by Athlon; and fourth team by Phil Steele. He was a second-teamer last year by the AP, Sporting News, USA Today and CBS Sports.

In addition to his 29 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two passes defended and seven quarterback pressures on defense, Nkemdiche had three offensive touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and a blocked field goal this season.

He is one of five Rebels to garner All-America honors this season, including senior safety Trae Elston, junior tight end Evan Engram, junior wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and junior offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (full list below).

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TRAE ELSTON | DB

• All-America second team (AP)

• All-America third team (Athlon, Phil Steele)

EVAN ENGRAM | TE

• All-America third team (College Sports Madness)

ROBERT NKEMDICHE | DT

• All-America first team (Scout.com)

• All-America second team (Walter Camp, AP, Sports Illustrated)

• All-America third team (Athlon)

• All-America fourth team (Phil Steele)

LAQUON TREADWELL | WR

• All-America second team (Walter Camp)

• All-America third team (AP, Athlon, Phil Steele)

LAREMY TUNSIL | OT

• All-America second team (Walter Camp)

Courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics