FOOTBALL: Elam receives offer from Kentucky (2/12)

A long-time dream is beginning to become reality for John Hardin junior defensive tackle Matt Elam.

Elam has dreamt of playing college football since he began playing the game and that is beginning to look like a definite possibility after this past weekend.

The 6-foot-5, 350-pound Elam attended the University of Kentucky’s junior day Saturday, when he attended the Wildcats’ game against Auburn. Kentucky assistant coach Neal Brown offered Elam a scholarship at the game.

“It was very exciting,” Elam said. “I was really looking forward to getting an offer and I was really happy. I love it because this is something I’ve always wanted.”

Elam has received two offers so far. Besides Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, which signed John Hardin linebacker Domonick Brown last week, offered Elam.

“It’s all starting to be real,” Elam said. “This is what I’ve wanted. I’ve always had the dream of playing college football, so it’s like this is real now. I’m going to continue to work harder and I’m going to enjoy my recruiting.”

Besides Kentucky, Elam received an invitation to attend junior day at Alabama, which has won back-to-back national championships and three of the last four, on Feb. 23. He has heard from nearly every school in the Southeastern Conference as well as Clemson and Louisville.

“It’s very exciting to be going to Alabama,” Elam said. “I’m going to make it down there for sure.”

Despite the offer, Elam doesn’t plan on making a decision any time soon. He plans on going to camps during the summer and taking his official visits before making his college choice.

“I’m going to take my time,” Elam said. “I’m so happy to get an offer from Kentucky. I talked to Coach (Mark) Brown and Coach Ross Brown and I want to wait it out. I probably won’t make my decision until after next season.”

Chuck Jones can be reached at (270) 505-1759 or cjones@thenewsenterprise.com.