Stoops' Biggest Win Could Be Landing Matt Elam

Stop me if you've heard this before, a recruit gets an offer from John Calipari and it seems everyone knows that if Cal wants that kid, he can get him. A Kentucky basketball offer is something recruits like to brag about and something only an elite few receive. Now imagine that, only in football. And instead of Kentucky basketball it's Alabama football, and Nick Saban can get just about anyone he wants. That's what it was like for one Matt Elam, a defensive tackle from Elizabethtown Kentucky when Nick Saban decided he wanted Elam in Tuscaloosa. As Kentucky fans we aren't used to having the script flipped on us as we are used to Cal bringing in the elite of the elite and getting the guys he wants, but in football were on the other side and for this 5-star in state talent Kentucky has a legit shot to land him, which could be the biggest win on the recruiting trail for Mark Stoops in his short time at Kentucky.

Elam is a 5-star product and has been a prized recruit since day one, Coach Stoops saw him too and while many other may have thought he didn't have a chance, he has proved them wrong. Elam would be the perfect centerpiece for Kentucky's defense in the coming years and would cap off an incredible two years of recruiting for Stoops and co. Elam has been thought to be down to Alabama and Kentucky for a while now but last night he tweeted out a picture of 262 letters Notre Dame had sent him. Aside from ripping of Stoops' recruiting tactics Notre Dame also made quite an impact it seems and it could be a three school race again. Louisville and Ohio State also went after Elam hard but he has made it clear he wants to play his college ball in the SEC, which would seem to make him choice between his home, and the empire that is Alabama football. In Alabama he would be another in a long line of incredible defensive players coached by Saban and no one could blame him for choosing the Tide. However, Stoops can offer him something that could be even more appealing to Elam. He can come be a hero. He, along with Drew Barker, could lead the new wave of Kentucky football players we have seen commit to play in the bluegrass in the past few years and Elam and Barker would be legends in the bluegrass (their home) if they were to do so. Alabama is a powerhouse (and so is Notre Dame if you are over the age of 60) but Elam can help resurrect a program in Kentucky and instead of being the next in line, he could be one of the first, and he could take his place beside Drew Barker and set out on his path to being Big Blue royalty. It's no secret that this season has been a struggle for the Kentucky football team, and fans have been watching tweets, posts and interviews of commits looking toward the future and imagining what Stoops could build at Kentucky in the not too distant future. Well if Stoops can land Elam, it will be a huge building block (literally he's 6'6" and 325 lbs.) for him to get this program where he,and the fans, want it to be. Matt Elam will take his official visit to Kentucky December 13-15 along with Drew Barker who you know will be in his ear the whole time. Along with showing us his fancy recruiting letter last night on twitter, he also announced he will be announcing his commitment on January 4th at the Army All-American game. Looks like Barker and the Kentucky staff will have the last word before he commits. I wouldn't bet against them. Go Cats. @DaveyRudolphKSR