Roster Analysis: 43 Kentucky football players have gained or lost weight since spring

Nov 29, 2015
1,735
627
0
To be honest. Shouldn't every single player on the roster either gain muscle mass or lose fat in order to improve conditioning and durability? This stat seems pointless ant not impressive one bit. Considering the training D1 fb players go thru every single player should either gain or lose weight. Every single one.
 
Nov 29, 2015
1,735
627
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Just saw that Elam hasn't lost a pound since last spring. That couldn't be more discouraging. Jesus that pretty much all but gaurantees poor conditioning and poor technique once he plays a few downs. Same Elam as last season. Plays a few plays then becomes tired and then starts standing straight up. Why he wasn't redshirted is so far beyond me I'll never know. I think he's almost worth a redshirt as of now just to give him a chance to change his body. Because if it's the same Elam then no point in letting him waste another year playing with horrid technique and only being able to play 15 snaps a game, he needs a year to focus on his body if he truly hasn't lost a pound since last spring.
 

gamecockcat

Heisman
Oct 29, 2004
10,524
13,501
0
Hard to believe that a kid the size of Elam couldn't take off a few pounds in the past few months. 360 is about 30 pounds too many. He's already somewhat hampered by his height (at his position). With too much weight, his cardio is impaired and he resorts to standup hand-fighting with little to no penetration or need to double team. Disappointed that Matt doesn't appear to be working hard enough to be in tip-top shape for this season when we desperately need him to be really, really good. Even if he's dropped body fat and put on muscle and his total weight hasn't changed, he still needs to be lighter. Very disappointing.

Surprised that Pringle lost some weight - baby fat, hopefully. We need him to be fully and appropriately prepared for the season, too.
 
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K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,117
25,007
113
It's hard to make much of these findings.

1. It is very much a downer that Elam has dropped no weight. Big kid or not...he can't play a bunch of meaningful snaps at 360...period. And we really could use him to be more than a big kid that occupies the middle of the LOS. Would be nice to get some penetration at times...but at that weight, I just think he is at beast relegated to pile maker in middle of LOS.
2. It is very good to see Ramsey Meyers drop down some weight IMO. I think he could be on verge of a really good 2 last years at UK in middle of LOS. Seemed like he lacked mobility at times to get to 2nd level and block Lbers at times...I'm hoping this helps him with that.
3. I think it is always good to see our very thin LBers all gains some weight. Jordan Jones, Josh Allen, etc..are nice looking kids but they were way overmanned at times vs. SEC OL. I think getting them stronger/bigger should help us out a ton since those guys are going to play a lot.
 
Jun 11, 2012
15,051
15,723
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Hopefully, we won't have to use as many undersized true FR in the future as we build depth. Some guys should have RS last year instead of playing too light.
 

vhcat70

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
57,418
38,482
0
I'm much more concerned about Elam's waistline size than his total weight. Add muscle & lose gut size, then I'm OK with weight. I thought he looked trimmer - less pants' top overhang - as a SO & he did play better. A little more of that & no problem for me.
 
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Kattopper

Senior
Oct 7, 2004
1,830
795
0
This stuff gets over analyzed every year. Who gained/ who lost, who is and isn't doing great in summer drills. I used to get excited about it.
 
Nov 29, 2015
1,735
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This stuff gets over analyzed every year. Who gained/ who lost, who is and isn't doing great in summer drills. I used to get excited about it.
I'm not making anything out of it but Elam not losing weight when it's obvious to everyone who watches this program that he needs to lose weight in order to stay in longer and not resort to bad technique for us to be successful on the DL and he hasn't done it is problematic. Idc about any of the other measurable except his. They haven't changed since last season which is very alarming. He came in at like 370 2 years ago and is now at 360? Someone needs to force feed that boy some Healthy meals. He needs to get down to 330 340 max by the start of the season which obviously won't happen we'll be lucky if he gets to 350 but had he kept working his *** off since last year when he was listed at 360 the 330 goal of his could've been very attainable.
 

Dallas-Wild

Heisman
Feb 1, 2005
20,801
31,000
112
I'm not making anything out of it but Elam not losing weight when it's obvious to everyone who watches this program that he needs to lose weight in order to stay in longer and not resort to bad technique for us to be successful on the DL and he hasn't done it is problematic. Idc about any of the other measurable except his. They haven't changed since last season which is very alarming. He came in at like 370 2 years ago and is now at 360? Someone needs to force feed that boy some Healthy meals. He needs to get down to 330 340 max by the start of the season which obviously won't happen we'll be lucky if he gets to 350 but had he kept working his *** off since last year when he was listed at 360 the 330 goal of his could've been very attainable.
He got to UK at about 400 lbs
 

Ctroberts1024

Heisman
Jan 6, 2015
29,627
84,697
113
I'm perfectly fine with Elam not losing "weight" as long as it has gone from his gut to his legs. His weight wasn't really the problem, he's 6'7". The distribution of his weight, however, is what the problem was. All of it was in his gut.
 
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Kooky Kats_anon

Heisman
Aug 17, 2002
25,741
46,563
0
If Elam tipped the scales at 335, we'd be singing the praises of his effort and the staff's motivation and comprehensive vision/influence on these players... Alas. He's still grossly out of shape.

Even Lorenzen lost weight one summer...
 

BigBlueTuckian

Sophomore
Jan 9, 2016
309
198
0
I'm perfectly fine with Elam not losing "weight" as long as it has gone from his gut to his legs. His weight wasn't really the problem, he's 6'7". The distribution of his weight, however, is what the problem was. All of it was in his gut.

Agree, but conditioning will still be affected some. It isn't easy to carry 370 lbs. You'd have to be in some tip top physical shape like the guys who do World Strongest Man competition.

Lets hope Elam has the willpower to shed some weight.
 
Oct 1, 2001
5,199
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Just saw that Elam hasn't lost a pound since last spring. That couldn't be more discouraging. Jesus that pretty much all but gaurantees poor conditioning and poor technique once he plays a few downs. Same Elam as last season. Plays a few plays then becomes tired and then starts standing straight up. Why he wasn't redshirted is so far beyond me I'll never know. I think he's almost worth a redshirt as of now just to give him a chance to change his body. Because if it's the same Elam then no point in letting him waste another year playing with horrid technique and only being able to play 15 snaps a game, he needs a year to focus on his body if he truly hasn't lost a pound since last spring.
Are you absolutely sure about that?
 

railroadkat_1

Heisman
Mar 9, 2008
4,328
11,230
0
Agree, but conditioning will still be affected some. It isn't easy to carry 370 lbs. You'd have to be in some tip top physical shape like the guys who do World Strongest Man competition.

Lets hope Elam has the willpower to shed some weight.


I'm A big man and Matt isn't trying to loose weight or he would be down at least 20 lbs. Coach stoops should pull a Turpin trick like coach Joe B. Hall and have someone shadow him on eating! 2 players I've been disappointed in Elam is one of them. He should red shirt this year lift, run and loose weight or move on. His chance of playing pros is slim and none. I know I'll be eaten alive over this but someone needs to tell the truth. .
 
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WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
65,040
7,390
0
I'm sure I'll get hung out to dry on this view but...

Beneficial weight changes on the UK roster are posterized by one player - Matt Elam. Matt played HS ball at less than 350# (his Rivals profile listed him at 325#, Scout 340#), ballooned to almost 400# when he arrived at UK and has apparently "maintained" at 360# for about a year. His play in the B/W game against UK's second team did nothing to suggest he was going to be "better" in 2016 than he was in 2015. B/W game analyst Chris Spielman (who I personally think is very good) cited his "lack of effort" on one play in particular (and it was obvious on others). Assuming Matt does not have a medical or genetic problem the failure to get down to about 330# or so seems to be a lack of personal discipline and dedication.

Matt's "claim to fame" was his apparently strong recruitment by AL. Had he chosen the Tide, his weight would not be a 3rd year issue; he would simply be buried on the depth chart. JMO.

Peace
 

TuckyFan

Heisman
Nov 3, 2009
19,102
17,324
103
Meh, seems to be a lot of unknowns here for people to get awfully excited.

We don't know if this is accurate/timely. Don't know what Elam's body fat is, how he may be conditioned to operate at that weight and oddly his weight change is the only one people are taking about. His weight will not be the reason he is good or bad this year. His strength, fitness, effort are all more likely candidate to define what he brings to the team.
 
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Shydog

Heisman
Sep 11, 2013
6,735
10,758
113
Elam is our 1st team NT,, andre wants him redshirted now? Sure,andre,, maybe it's our 2nd teamer who should be redshirted! should Elam have changed his body more than he has so far,, sure he should've but he is doing something right to be a starter on an SEC team at any position.
 

RV

Heisman
Jun 26, 2005
8,089
13,585
0
I'm A big man and Matt isn't trying to loose weight or he would be down at least 20 lbs. Coach stoops should pull a Turpin trick like coach Joe B. Hall and have someone shadow him on eating! 2 players I've been disappointed in Elam is one of them. He should red shirt this year lift, run and loose weight or move on. His chance of playing pros is slim and none. I know I'll be eaten alive over this but someone needs to tell the truth. .

Maybe he should just wear a loose shirt, then he wouldn't have to lose weight.
 
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Shydog

Heisman
Sep 11, 2013
6,735
10,758
113
I'm A big man and Matt isn't trying to loose weight or he would be down at least 20 lbs. Coach stoops should pull a Turpin trick like coach Joe B. Hall and have someone shadow him on eating! 2 players I've been disappointed in Elam is one of them. He should red shirt this year lift, run and loose weight or move on. His chance of playing pros is slim and none. I know I'll be eaten alive over this but someone needs to tell the truth. .
You really aren't serious about wanting our starting NG to redshirt or quit are you?
 

BobbyK49

Redshirt
Apr 14, 2007
583
29
0
To be honest. Shouldn't every single player on the roster either gain muscle mass or lose fat in order to improve conditioning and durability? This stat seems pointless ant not impressive one bit. Considering the training D1 fb players go thru every single player should either gainlose weight. Every single one.[/QUOTE
That's not really right. If a player gains 20 lbs. of muscle while losing 20 lbs. of fat they'll be listed at the same weight but have become much better players.
 

ville 77

Redshirt
Jul 15, 2013
1,045
41
0
Not to take sides but the CJ story today said Stoops said Elam had made strides and lost weight he was just not ready to say how much. Maybe he will surprise everybody and come in at under 350?
 

anon_7tbtqcx308nxh

All-Conference
Jan 15, 2013
3,634
1,846
0
Weight gain/loss misses the point. It'd be more insightful if they listed body fat percentage change along with weight.

Elam may have stayed level in terms of pounds but what if he gained 10 pounds of muscle, for example. This story gets written every year but I wish the media would reach out for the metrics to put pounds gain/lost in better perspective.
 
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Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
39,889
60,242
113
I'm sure I'll get hung out to dry on this view but...

Beneficial weight changes on the UK roster are posterized by one player - Matt Elam. Matt played HS ball at less than 350# (his Rivals profile listed him at 325#, Scout 340#), ballooned to almost 400# when he arrived at UK and has apparently "maintained" at 360# for about a year. His play in the B/W game against UK's second team did nothing to suggest he was going to be "better" in 2016 than he was in 2015. B/W game analyst Chris Spielman (who I personally think is very good) cited his "lack of effort" on one play in particular (and it was obvious on others). Assuming Matt does not have a medical or genetic problem the failure to get down to about 330# or so seems to be a lack of personal discipline and dedication.

Matt's "claim to fame" was his apparently strong recruitment by AL. Had he chosen the Tide, his weight would not be a 3rd year issue; he would simply be buried on the depth chart. JMO.

Peace

Nice. You believe everything you read. Matt was well over 375 before he ever landed on UK's campus.