Ole Miss football player hospitalized in hotel fall

ATLANTA (AP) Police say star Ole Miss football player Robert Nkemdiche was hospitalized after falling from a wall at an Atlanta hotel. Department spokeswoman

ATLANTA (AP) Police say star Ole Miss football player Robert Nkemdiche was hospitalized after falling from a wall at an Atlanta hotel.

Department spokeswoman Kim Jones says it appears that 21-year-old Nkemdiche broke a hotel room window, walked about 15 feet, climbed over a wall and fell roughly 15 feet late Saturday night.

Jones says Nkemdiche was alert and conscious when emergency responders arrived and he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Jones says authorities found what appeared to be a small amount of marijuana in Nkemdiche's room and he was hospitalized in stable condition.

Nkemdiche, a junior at Ole Miss, is a defensive tackle from Loganville, Georgia.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze sent out a release through the school on Sunday saying ''We are still learning about the matter, but obviously Robert's wellbeing is our greatest concern.''

The 6-foot-4, 296-pound Nkemdiche is considered a potential first-round NFL draft pick this spring. He was the consensus top recruit in the country three years ago, anchored the Rebels' defensive line this season and was selected to the AP All-America second team on Sunday.

Ole Miss, which has a 9-3 record this season, will face Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. The Rebels are scheduled to begin practice for the Sugar Bowl on Monday.