ESPN 150 nets 16 Ga. players

The initial ESPN 150 for the 2013 recruiting class was announced today, and the latest rankings prove once again that Georgia is one of the premier states in elite football talent. In fact, a look at the last five years suggests that the Peach State is scrapping it out with California to claim rank as the third best producer of top-tier recruits, behind Florida and Texas.

Since 2009, California has had 76 total prospects in the ESPN 150. In that same period, Georgia has had 78. For 2013, 16 Georgians have made the ESPN 150 while14 come from California. And for Georgia, it all obviously starts with the defensive end from Loganville.

Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) is a 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive lineman with the strength and explosiveness to compete -- right now -- for a starting position at any college program in the nation. Nkemdiche has had back-to-back seasons with 18 sacks, and last year he showed his athleticism by tacking on 17 touchdowns at running back. He helped lead the Rams to an undefeated season and their first state championship in school history.