Robert Nkemdiche, widely considered the top football recruit in the class of 2013, said he would honor his commitment to Clemson even if the Tigers did not offer a scholarship to his good friend and high school teammate, Ryan Carter.

Nkemdiche, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end at Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., created a stir last week when he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his commitment to Clemson would be a “done deal” if Tigers Coach Dabo Swinney offered a scholarship to Carter, a 5-10 defensive back. Nkemdiche, who committed to Clemson in June, told The Journal-Constitution that he might give Mississippi a closer look if Clemson did not offer Carter a scholarship. The Rebels have already offered a scholarship to Carter.

But in a telephone interview Sunday, Nkemdiche said Carter’s recruitment would not affect his commitment to the Tigers.

“Of course I would want to play with him,” Nkemdiche said of Carter. “But if it doesn’t work out, I’ll still go to Clemson.”

Nkemdiche said he never demanded that Clemson’s coaches pursue Carter; he said Carter joining him at Clemson would simply make a good situation better.

“I didn’t give Coach Swinney an ultimatum about anything,” Nkemdiche said. “I hope he doesn’t feel obligated to offer anybody a scholarship because of my commitment.”

Clemson has already received commitments from the Grayson running back Wayne Gallman and defensive back David Kamara. Also, the former Grayson quarterback Nick Schuessler recently gave up his scholarship offer from Mississippi State to walk on at Clemson.

Nkemdiche chose Clemson over Louisiana State and Alabama, among others.

“I don’t want anybody to think I’m giving ultimatums,” Nkemdiche said, “because that’s not who I am.”