'14 KY DT Matt Elam (Kentucky Verbal)

Booslum31 · Jul 1, 2013

Kak7304 said:
If ND sent me 182 letters, I'd be ecstatic.

I only got one letter from them (Digger Phelps) and it said they weren't interested. Still...I loved getting mail from ND.

PANDFAN · Jul 2, 2013

Brian31 said:
I only got one letter from them (Digger Phelps) and it said they weren't interested. Still...I loved getting mail from ND.

i would have framed it!

IrishLion · Jul 3, 2013

ShawneeIrish said:
Bowling Green

Ah, they always seemed to be at Papa Johns Stadium when my team, Newport Catholic, was there. I guess "few" years was an understatement on my part. We beat Mayfield 42-7 in 2005 for state.

PANDFAN · Jul 17, 2013

will be at UK this weekend....must be his 10000000x visiting

NDhoosier · Jul 17, 2013

Still irritates me that Kentucky is likely to get this guy and they already have some other studs. As a ND and IU fan, watching Kentucky of all teams take some of our recruits is frustrating to see.

dwshade · Jul 17, 2013

I don't know if I would call their other recruits studs. Half are kids from Ohio that OSU never offered. They are doing a better job than UK normally does but they aren't beating the top schools for these kids. Elam would be an exception, but he's from the state.

Domina Nostra · Jul 17, 2013

dwshade said:
I don't know if I would call their other recruits studs. Half are kids from Ohio that OSU never offered. They are doing a better job than UK normally does but they aren't beating the top schools for these kids. Elam would be an exception, but he's from the state.

There is a constant cycle of low- and mid-level BCS conference schools overachieving for short bursts. It is nearly impossible for them to maintain.

ant80 · Jul 17, 2013

dwshade said:
I don't know if I would call their other recruits studs. Half are kids from Ohio that OSU never offered. They are doing a better job than UK normally does but they aren't beating the top schools for these kids. Elam would be an exception, but he's from the state.

Not a bad tactic. Target kids from Ohio who normally go to other B1G schools instead of kids in the super-competitive SEC region. They won't get top-of-the-line kids that tOSU and scUM want, but it is going to pay dividends down the line because of less competition in the region. Another reason why the B1G will be the Big2 and the little-12 for the foreseeable future. The teams other than tOSU and scUM aren't getting targeted kids that normally go to B1G teams.

Domina Nostra · Jul 17, 2013

ant80 said:
Not a bad tactic. Target kids from Ohio who normally go to other B1G schools instead of kids in the super-competitive SEC region. They won't get top-of-the-line kids that tOSU and scUM want, but it is going to pay dividends down the line because of less competition in the region. Another reason why the B1G will be the Big2 and the little-12 for the foreseeable future. The teams other than tOSU and scUM aren't getting targeted kids that normally go to B1G teams.

Good point!

condoms SUCk · Jul 17, 2013

ant80 said:
Not a bad tactic. Target kids from Ohio who normally go to other B1G schools instead of kids in the super-competitive SEC region. They won't get top-of-the-line kids that tOSU and scUM want, but it is going to pay dividends down the line because of less competition in the region. Another reason why the B1G will be the Big2 and the little-12 for the foreseeable future. The teams other than tOSU and scUM aren't getting targeted kids that normally go to B1G teams.

WellI hope we can get our fair share of the top Ohio/Michigan recruits as well, but I get your point.

stlnd01 · Jul 17, 2013

Makes sense. Kentucky's going to win more battles in nearby Ohio against the second tier of the Big 10 than they are further south against SEC schools.
I do wonder, though, how this vaunted Kentucky class will hold together once the actual football games start and these kids realize they'll be losing 8 games a year.

Irish#1 · Jul 17, 2013

Domina Nostra said:
There is a constant cycle of low- and mid-level BCS conference schools overachieving for short bursts. It is nearly impossible for them to maintain.

So true, been happening for a long time.

arrowryan · Jul 17, 2013

Looking at UK's schedule, they are looking at a minimum of 8 loses. But I think they could go as worse as 2-10. That kind of record won't keep guys like Elam, West, Barker, or Snodgrass

ShawneeIrish · Jul 17, 2013

Once they lose week 1 to WKU recruits may begin to realize that UK is still UK

NDWorld247 · Jul 17, 2013

arrowryan said:
Looking at UK's schedule, they are looking at a minimum of 8 loses. But I think they could go as worse as 2-10. That kind of record won't keep guys like Elam, West, Barker, or Snodgrass

This has been discussed in this thread I believe. Those guys did not commit to Kentucky thinking they would compete in 2013. They are signing up to change the culture at UK. I am sure Kentucky will have de-commits, nearly every school does including ND, but they will not lose the biggest fish (Barker) and will likely hang on to most of their class.

Luckylucci · Jul 17, 2013

Keep in mind that part of the selling point is immediate PT and them being ****** only helps that. Now I think it could cause some detections but guys like Barker probably stick no matter what, he could be a 4 year starter. At least that's what they'll tell him.

STLDomer · Jul 17, 2013

arrowryan said:
Looking at UK's schedule, they are looking at a minimum of 8 loses. But I think they could go as worse as 2-10. That kind of record won't keep guys like Elam, West, Barker, or Snodgrass

The thing is, I think UK sucks so bad, the commits already know it and won't be phased by it. Tennessee is the recruiting class I see falling apart

stlnd01 · Jul 17, 2013

You can try to "change the culture" at Kentucky. Or you can play for championships at Notre Dame or Alabama. Some kids will choose the former. Others, the latter.
The fact that Elam's not committed to Kentucky by now suggests he might fall into the second camp.

NDWorld247 · Jul 17, 2013

stlnd01 said:
You can try to "change the culture" at Kentucky. Or you can play for championships at Notre Dame or Alabama. Some kids will choose the former. Others, the latter.
The fact that Elam's not committed to Kentucky by now suggests he might fall into the second camp.

My theory is he has not committed to UK yet because he wants to sit in front of a nationally televised audience and do the hat dance during the Army All-American Bowl. This kid LOVES attention. I could be wrong. He may fall into the 2nd camp as you suggest, but that's my theory.

T Town Tommy · Jul 17, 2013

NDWorld247 said:
My theory is he has not committed to UK yet because he wants to sit in front of a nationally televised audience and do the hat dance during the Army All-American Bowl. This kid LOVES attention. I could be wrong. He may fall into the 2nd camp as you suggest, but that's my theory.

I think you are correct. He constantly refers to the current UK recruits as "us" when talking. He seems to enjoy the attention and will ride it all the way to the All-American Bowl. Don't really see anything wrong with it as he can enjoy his recruitment if he wants. But once the limelight goes away and all that is left is a weight room void of chesseburgers he will either rise up or fade away. My prediction is he goes to UK and becomes at best an average lineman. Go to Bama or ND and I think he could be a 1-3 round pick.

stlnd01 · Jul 17, 2013

NDWorld247 said:
My theory is he has not committed to UK yet because he wants to sit in front of a nationally televised audience and do the hat dance during the Army All-American Bowl. This kid LOVES attention. I could be wrong. He may fall into the 2nd camp as you suggest, but that's my theory.

That certainly may be the case.
But it seems like kids who are that committed to a place by summer - think Jaylon Smith - commit early on, help recruit others, and don't dither around taking visits to more glamorous programs for months just so they can get 30 seconds of fame on a Saturday afternoon in January. Most late commits these days seem to either have a change of heart, be truly uncertain, or start the process later.
I agree with you Elam loves the attention, but he may love it just enough that he winds up going to a winner instead of Kentucky. We'll see.

STLDomer · Jul 17, 2013

Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if he has offered his commitment already and the UK staff is on board with him announcing at the Army Game

ShawneeIrish · Jul 17, 2013

The thing is the culture at UK is just not going to change. I don't see how kids can be sold on changing a culture that has been just an awful program for 50 years! They have sucked for a very, very long time. Its a basketball school in a basketball state. Louisville has had recent success, but I just do not see it happening at UK at all, especially with UK playing against SEC competition. UK has had one winning coach since Bear Bryant (who was Blanton Collier who immediately followed Bryant with an impressive 41-36 record.)

Since then it is not a pretty picture...
Charlie Bradshaw (1962-68) 25-41
John Ray (1969-72) 10-33
Frank Curci (1973-81) 47-51
Jerry Claiborne (1982-89) 41-46
Bill Curry (1990-96) 26-52
Hal Mumme (1997-2000) 20-26
Guy Morriss (2001-2002) 9-14
Rich Brooks (2003-2009) 39-47
Joker Phillips (2010-2012) 13-24

T Town Tommy · Jul 17, 2013

ShawneeIrish said:
The thing is the culture at UK is just not going to change. I don't see how kids can be sold on changing a culture that has been just an awful program for 50 years! They have sucked for a very, very long time. Its a basketball school in a basketball state. Louisville has had recent success, but I just do not see it happening at UK at all, especially with UK playing against SEC competition. UK has had one winning coach since Bear Bryant (who was Blanton Collier who immediately followed Bryant with an impressive 41-36 record.)

Since then it is not a pretty picture...
Charlie Bradshaw (1962-68) 25-41
John Ray (1969-72) 10-33
Frank Curci (1973-81) 47-51
Jerry Claiborne (1982-89) 41-46
Bill Curry (1990-96) 26-52
Hal Mumme (1997-2000) 20-26
Guy Morriss (2001-2002) 9-14
Rich Brooks (2003-2009) 39-47
Joker Phillips (2010-2012) 13-24

PaPa Brooks had them going in the right direction. Joker ran them in the ground. Stoops will be there until he gets a bigger offer. He has to start somewhere and keeping the best in state talent in state is a start. There just isn't enough of a base in Ky with D1 talent to change the culture. It is getting better but still lags every state around them.

stlnd01 · Jul 17, 2013

ShawneeIrish said:
The thing is the culture at UK is just not going to change. I don't see how kids can be sold on changing a culture that has been just an awful program for 50 years! They have sucked for a very, very long time. Its a basketball school in a basketball state. Louisville has had recent success, but I just do not see it happening at UK at all, especially with UK playing against SEC competition.

Right.
This is not Illinois or Arizona State or North Carolina, some sleeping giant program in a talent-rich state that just never quite pulls it together. This is a perennial bottom-dweller in a small, non-football state that plays in the toughest conference in the land. Stoops is probably better than the last few coaches they've had, but it'll take more than just a few guys who want to "change the culture" to make Kentucky competitive.

NDWorld247 · Jul 17, 2013

ShawneeIrish said:
The thing is the culture at UK is just not going to change. I don't see how kids can be sold on changing a culture that has been just an awful program for 50 years! They have sucked for a very, very long time. Its a basketball school in a basketball state. Louisville has had recent success, but I just do not see it happening at UK at all, especially with UK playing against SEC competition. UK has had one winning coach since Bear Bryant (who was Blanton Collier who immediately followed Bryant with an impressive 41-36 record.)

stlnd01 said:
Right.
This is not Illinois or Arizona State or North Carolina, some sleeping giant program in a talent-rich state that just never quite pulls it together. This is a perennial bottom-dweller in a small, non-football state that plays in the toughest conference in the land. Stoops is probably better than the last few coaches they've had, but it'll take more than just a few guys who want to "change the culture" to make Kentucky competitive.

I don't think you'll find too many people here that will disagree with you. But Stoops does not have to convince us that the culture can be changed. He has to convince impressionable 17-18 year old division 1 recruits that want to see the field early. Also, it's not like the recruiting pitch of "Play early, change the culture, be a part of history at XYZ school" is a unique strategy. It's used by almost every coach who is hired at a bottom feeder program. His pitch is working this year, but we'll see if he can string together 2-3 solid classes. And even if he does, with the way SEC recruiting is going, he's going to need more than just solid classes to turn things around.

andre784 · Jul 18, 2013

Vols and Kentucky will implode by the national signing day. That should be a given, neither did should do well or look that great next season.

rtrn2glory · Jul 18, 2013

They both have the first year coach card to sell and "being a part of turning around a program"

dwshade · Jul 18, 2013

I think UT is in good hands with Butch Jones. Think he'll return that program to where it should be.

GoldenIsThyFame · Jul 24, 2013

'14 KY DT Matt Elam (Kentucky Verbal)

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