Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/156066
prep profiles Notre Dame In Top Three For Five-Star Defensive Tackle Elizabethtown (Ky.) John Hardin de- I think I could fit in nicely to replace fensive tackle Matt Elam is a top priority him." for the nation's elite programs, includElam is unsure when he will make ing Notre Dame. a final decision, but The Irish have he does know that Matt Elam put themselves in the Irish are firmly ✪✪✪✪✪ good shape for the entrenched in his John Hardin High School five-star prospect, top group. Elizabethtown, Ky. and their need for "I'd list them in Status: Offered a big run stopper my top six and in Position: Defensive Tackle along the defenthe top three, actuHt.: 6-6 · Wt.: 350 sive line has caught ally," Elam noted. 40-Yard Dash: 5.2 Elam's eye. "I don't have any 247Sports Rankings: No. 1 "I talk to Notre leaders yet, but they player in Kentucky, No. 2 deDame three or four are up there." fensive tackle in the country and No. 10 overall times a week," said On Aug. 1, Elam recruit nationally Elam. "We stay in tweeted that his top real good contact. I six were — in no talk to Coach [Tony] Alford and Coach particular order —Kentucky, Alabama, [Bob] Elliott the most. We've got a good Tennessee, Louisville, Ohio State and relationship." Notre Dame. Louis Nix III, Notre Dame's standThe 6-6, 350-pounder is confident that out defensive tackle and All-American he will go to Alabama for an official visit candidate, is someone that has grabbed in December, but is unsure of his four Elam's attention. His growth at the posi- other visits. A trip to Notre Dame in Oction and his potential to be a first-round tober is currently being discussed. pick is impressive to the Kentucky line"I'm thinking about visiting for the man. USC game, and it will possibly be an "There is a need at defensive tackle at official visit," said Elam, who toured the Notre Dame, and I know I could see the school on June 24. field early," Elam discussed. "That's big "Notre Dame's campus was incredfor me and my decision. Just seeing Nix ible. and I just want to get up there and do his thing, probably be a first-round check everything out again." pick and the fact that he'll be gone, helps 247Sports ranks Elam as the No. 10 their chances with me. prospect in the nation, the No. 2 defen"I know I can step in and play right sive tackle in the land and the No. 1 reaway and make an impact. It's hard to cruit in Kentucky. argue with the success he's had, and —Tom Loy