'14 KY DT Matt Elam (Kentucky Verbal)

[Luckylucci]

In my uneducated opinion, I think Rivals is a lot closer to being accurate after watching how his senior year played out. Elam has a ton of upside, but he also has one of the lowest floors out there. Serious bust potential for a number of reasons.

I see him signing with Bama and then trying to transfer to Kentucky by year 2.

The situation you layed out seems like a likely outcome. For me I think its gonna come down to whats in his head. Once he hits adversity and realizes its not going to be as easy as it was in HS whats does he do. Physically I don't think there is a DT in the country that has his potential, like you said. However, he does need to be groomed quite a bit and how does he deal with that.

 

[Pachuco]

For me I think its gonna come down to whats in his head. Once he hits adversity and realizes its not going to be as easy as it was in HS whats does he do. Physically I don't think there is a DT in the country that has his potential, like you said. However, he does need to be groomed quite a bit and how does he deal with that.

Exactly. The perfect case in point is Nix. It took time, patience, and strong family influence to help actualize his great potential. Family influence cannot be underestimated in the thought process of a young person. How does ND stand with his family?

 

[dwshade]

The high school version of Dontari Poe.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Wouldn't a lot of the camp circuit from this past summer answer some of the questions about his ability? Friday night football in Ky won't as he is so much superior to the guys he lines up against. But at the summer camps, he would have faced better competition. Does anyone know how well he faired? It seems he vaulted up some rankings based on his performance then iirc.

 

[Irish#1]

Wouldn't a lot of the camp circuit from this past summer answer some of the questions about his ability? Friday night football in Ky won't as he is so much superior to the guys he lines up against. But at the summer camps, he would have faced better competition. Does anyone know how well he faired? It seems he vaulted up some rankings based on his performance then iirc.

I don't dig into that stuff the way some of the guys on here do. If I had to guess maybe he's dropping a little because of the summer circuit. It could be that this was his first time facing better comp constantly. Sometimes the light bulb goes on a little later after having time to reflect on their performance.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Doesn't look like he will be at ND. So, we better get more NT's and fast.

I still hope they go hard after the kid Griffin from Bellevue HS in WA. Big kid that can take on multiple blockers.

We need true NT, unless Diaco and the crew are moving to a 4-3 IMO.

 

[Ironman8]

DeShone Kizer is putting in some nice work recruiting Matt on twitter. Atta boy DeShone.

 

[ulukinatme]

Doesn't look like he will be at ND. .

Really? I could be wrong, but I think we're in a great position here. He definitely seems interested. We may not be #1 right now, but we're definitely part of his top 3. The way I see it, we're in a pretty good position too. Both KY and 'Bama are sitting at 24 recruits right now verbaled, so they don't have a lot of room left if every one of those guys sign. Kentucky already have 2 DTs verbaled, Alabama has 4! Right now at DT/NT we only have Jay Hayes and Jay is looking more like a prototypical 3-4 DE. We also have more wiggle room with 19 recruits, I can't see us turning down a NT right now. Our depth is bad, which would give Elam a good chance to see playing time early. At this point I'm wondering if Saban takes Elam, he may pass. I couldn't see KY turning him down though, they need a guy like Elam.

I'm thinking KY is still the favorite, despite the poor season. They've got a good class coming along, they're the hometown favorite, and he probably has a good shot at playing time there too. We've got playing time going for us too, and a brighter future than Kentucky, although that may not matter to Elam. I'm not going to hold my breath, but I like the position we're in right now with ~6 spots available for recruits, and no other "NT" type players verbaled. I still think we have a good shot with Holley too. I think we snag one of these two guys eventually.

 

[Crazy Balki]

IMO, ND NEEDS to land either Holley or Elam, or both. They cannot afford to finish this class with no Nose Guards on board. If that happens, I'd say that Montelus would move over to Nose. I think that would make or break this class. If we don't land one, this recruiting year would be a major disappointment.

 

[Ironman8]

IMO, ND NEEDS to land either Holley or Elam, or both. They cannot afford to finish this class with no Nose Guards on board. If that happens, I'd say that Montelus would move over to Nose. I think that would make or break this class. If we don't land one, this recruiting year would be a major disappointment.

IMO Dickerson is more of a true nose for us than Holley is.

 

[irishff1014]

IMO Dickerson is more of a true nose for us than Holley is.

A lot of people are forgetting about him.

 

[Crazy Balki]

A lot of people are forgetting about him.

I didn't forget about him, but I don't really see him as NT. Most sites have him at 6'5 260-275. He seems more in the mold of Jay Hayes. 6'5 is generally too tall for NT, with the exception being Elam due to his massive frame. Holley is shorter and can carry more weight. Like Nix, he uses his tenacity and strength to will his way around blockers. Dickerson has that too, but I'm really nervous when a player gains THAT much weight. It's why I'd rather have a natural NG out of high school, rather than bank on developing one. Not to mention, Dickerson would definitely have to redshirt the year to put on and maintain the weight.

 

[Luckylucci]

A lot of people are forgetting about him.

I agree. However there is real concern that his injury could drastically impact his long term performance.

 

[Ironman8]

I didn't forget about him, but I don't really see him as NT. Most sites have him at 6'5 260-275. He seems more in the mold of Jay Hayes. 6'5 is generally too tall for NT, with the exception being Elam due to his massive frame. Holley is shorter and can carry more weight. Like Nix, he uses his tenacity and strength to will his way around blockers. Dickerson has that too, but I'm really nervous when a player gains THAT much weight. It's why I'd rather have a natural NG out of high school, rather than bank on developing one. Not to mention, Dickerson would definitely have to redshirt the year to put on and maintain the weight.

If you watch their highlights and check out pictures of them, they are much different body types. Dickerson is long and broad at 6'5 260, while Hayes is stockier with less room to put on added weight.

 

[Ironman8]

I agree. However there is real concern that his injury could drastically impact his long term performance.

II and ISD both had recent articles which stated the injury should have zero long term impact for him.

 

[Luckylucci]

II and ISD both had recent articles which stated the injury should have zero long term impact for him.

I read the II update but Sampson has said that he's a little skeptical that it's that insignificant. If everything works out well he's still lost a year development. I love the kid as a prospect but I'll add my name to the list that says he's more of a question mark.

 

[koonja]

What injury?

 

[dwshade]

We will be fine without Elam and Holley if it comes to that. Jarron Jones certainly has the potential to handle the NG position. And we can look for NG in the 2015 class. To some extent we've been spoiled by Nix. He's a rare breed and you're not going to have a Nix every year.

 

[Ironman8]

I read the II update but Sampson has said that he's a little skeptical that it's that insignificant. If everything works out well he's still lost a year development. I love the kid as a prospect but I'll add my name to the list that says he's more of a question mark.

I see the development point, but that injury shouldn't be significant going forward. Thankfully, however, we have Jarron and Springman ready to go, so a RS year to develop will be readily available.

 

[Crazy Balki]

We will be fine without Elam and Holley if it comes to that. Jarron Jones certainly has the potential to handle the NG position. And we can look for NG in the 2015 class. To some extent we've been spoiled by Nix. He's a rare breed and you're not going to have a Nix every year.

I really don't share you optimism. Jones has been adequate at NG, but to say we'll be fine without an actual NG is pretty stupid is my opinion. Alabama doesn't have this issue. In fact, the one year they did have this issue, 2010, it resulted in their worst defensive season in the 5 year reign of Saban (not including 2007). Right now, ND will go into 2014, with, at best 1 NG at this point, Jarron Jones. Alabama, meanwhile, will have SEVEN who can fill the role. In addition, I'm not totally confident that Jones is the future at NG, he's more in the mold of Tuitt than Nix. I don't think we were spoiled by Nix. I think we sat on him and forgot that one day he's gonna be gone. If there's one thing I'm really disappointed in recruiting wise, it's the staff's lack of DT recruits. You'd think we'd round up a few potential NG prospects. But to my knowledge, only Vanderdoes comes to mind and he p*ssied out.

 

[dwshade]

I really don't share you optimism. Jones has been adequate at NG, but to say we'll be fine without an actual NG is pretty stupid is my opinion. Alabama doesn't have this issue. In fact, the one year they did have this issue, 2010, it resulted in their worst defensive season in the 5 year reign of Saban (not including 2007). Right now, ND will go into 2014, with, at best 1 NG at this point, Jarron Jones. Alabama, meanwhile, will have SEVEN who can fill the role. In addition, I'm not totally confident that Jones is the future at NG, he's more in the mold of Tuitt than Nix. I don't think we were spoiled by Nix. I think we sat on him and forgot that one day he's gonna be gone. If there's one thing I'm really disappointed in recruiting wise, it's the staff's lack of DT recruits. You'd think we'd round up a few potential NG prospects. But to my knowledge, only Vanderdoes comes to mind and he p*ssied out.

Bama was able to fill its need at NT twice by going the JUCO route. Without that option they would not have been able to man that position with a typical NT. Look at recent recruiting classes and show me where all these Louis Nix types were. Bama does not have 7 guys who can play the position. Not worried in the slightest. And remember we are actually in a 4-3 look 40-50% of the time anyway. Sorry I don't live in your "the sky is falling world."

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Also if anyone recalls Nix' sophomore season, I doubt many believed he would end up being the best NT in the country by the end of his junior season. He lacked effort, was still somewhat out of shape even for a NT, and Kona actually stole the starting spot for a brief period during the spring after his sophomore season. That right there could possibly be the reason he kicked it into high gear and ended 2012 as the best Nose in the country. There is no reason to believe that Jarron Jones can't have a breakthrough between his sophomore and junior seasons. He definitely had some very good moments this season as a relief player.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Also if anyone recalls Nix' sophomore season, I doubt many believed he would end up being the best NT in the country by the end of his junior season. He lacked effort, was still somewhat out of shape even for a NT, and Kona actually stole the starting spot for a brief period during the spring after his sophomore season. That right there could possibly be the reason he kicked it into high gear and ended 2012 as the best Nose in the country. There is no reason to believe that Jarron Jones can't have a breakthrough between his sophomore and junior seasons. He definitely had some very good moments this season as a relief player.

Again, I don't share your sentiment. Nix always had the ability, it all came down to trimming the fat and getting him to a playable weight. I think that's what doomed the season this year, is that they didn't maintain his steady weight. Nix was dominant at 325-330, but they let him gain 20 pounds and it did in his knees. Jones, while I believe is serviceable, doesn't fit the mold of a NG. He's 6'6 and 300 pounds. That's a 3-4 DE right there, no if and's or buts about it. Adding more weight to that will only dilute his prominent trait. His athleticism. We need somebody around 6'2-6'4 and 315-335. Only reason Elam is an exception is that his frame is MUCH larger than somebody like Jones. He's tall, but he can handle the weight, because he can bully interior linemen with his upper body strength. In addition, even if Jones is able to hold down NG, they'll still have an issue where they have just ONE NG and nobody to back up Jones. That's a serious problem!

 

[pkt77242]

Again, I don't share your sentiment. Nix always had the ability, it all came down to trimming the fat and getting him to a playable weight. I think that's what doomed the season this year, is that they didn't maintain his steady weight. Nix was dominant at 325-330, but they let him gain 20 pounds and it did in his knees. Jones, while I believe is serviceable, doesn't fit the mold of a NG. He's 6'6 and 300 pounds. That's a 3-4 DE right there, no if and's or buts about it. Adding more weight to that will only dilute his prominent trait. His athleticism. We need somebody around 6'2-6'4 and 315-335. Only reason Elam is an exception is that his frame is MUCH larger than somebody like Jones. He's tall, but he can handle the weight, because he can bully interior linemen with his upper body strength. In addition, even if Jones is able to hold down NG, they'll still have an issue where they have just ONE NG and nobody to back up Jones. That's a serious problem!

Springmann says hello.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Also if anyone recalls Nix' sophomore season, I doubt many believed he would end up being the best NT in the country by the end of his junior season. He lacked effort, was still somewhat out of shape even for a NT, and Kona actually stole the starting spot for a brief period during the spring after his sophomore season. That right there could possibly be the reason he kicked it into high gear and ended 2012 as the best Nose in the country. There is no reason to believe that Jarron Jones can't have a breakthrough between his sophomore and junior seasons. He definitely had some very good moments this season as a relief player.

If he was, (big IF) he didn't stay there. He was one of the best. In my opinion with hindsight, he should have left last year with Manti. It would have been better for him, and for the team.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Again, I don't share your sentiment. Nix always had the ability, it all came down to trimming the fat and getting him to a playable weight. I think that's what doomed the season this year, is that they didn't maintain his steady weight. Nix was dominant at 325-330, but they let him gain 20 pounds and it did in his knees. Jones, while I believe is serviceable, doesn't fit the mold of a NG. He's 6'6 and 300 pounds. That's a 3-4 DE right there, no if and's or buts about it. Adding more weight to that will only dilute his prominent trait. His athleticism. We need somebody around 6'2-6'4 and 315-335. Only reason Elam is an exception is that his frame is MUCH larger than somebody like Jones. He's tall, but he can handle the weight, because he can bully interior linemen with his upper body strength. In addition, even if Jones is able to hold down NG, they'll still have an issue where they have just ONE NG and nobody to back up Jones. That's a serious problem!

Did you even watch Jones against Stanford?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Per Loy the staff is going all in on Elam this week.

This probably just means that we are going to send 1,000 letters a day until he schedules a return visit.

 

[irishfan]

This probably just means that we are going to send 1,000 letters a day until he schedules a return visit.

Nice, like what Hogwarts did to Harry Potter in Book 1.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Nick Saban Visiting Matt Elam | Kentucky Sports Radio

 

[irishog77]

If he was, (big IF) he didn't stay there. He was one of the best. In my opinion with hindsight, he should have left last year with Manti. It would have been better for him, and for the team.

Ok. I'll bite.

How would the ND team have been better if Nix left last year?