Kentucky DL Matt Elam responds to being called out by Greg McElroy
At SEC Media Days earlier this month, SEC Network analyst Greg McElroy had some harsh criticisms for Kentucky DL Matt Elam when talking about the Wildcats defense.
“It was an embarrassing effort,” he said. “The linebackers covered their bases an awful lot, who are really good and played their tails off. But this defensive line, they need to be issued a challenge.
“It was an embarrassing effort last year, particularly by former 5-star Matt Elam, who was lazy and as underachieving a player as I’ve seen in this league in some time.”
On Sunday, Kentucky held Media Day and Elam was asked about the analyst’s comments.
Matt Elam: "I heard the comment. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion." pic.twitter.com/wgcimXBXbr
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) July 30, 2017
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops noted that Elam has lost weight to try to better fit into his position on the defensive line. He also shared that the two had a very “blunt” conversation about criticisms of the defensive lineman’s play, but did not go into details.
Stoops: I don't think it's right to personally come at Matt (Elam). He has worked hard, losing weight and getting in shape a piece of that.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard) July 30, 2017
Stoops said he was very blunt with Matt Elam but won't share what was said between the two.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) July 30, 2017
A 2014 signee, Elam was a 5-star prospect and No. 21 overall recruit according to 247Sports. On the site’s Composite rankings, which averages all the major recruiting services, Elam was a 4-star recruit and the No. 166 overall prospect. The rankings varied wildly among recruiting services, but the 6-foot-7, 360-pound tackle was expected to be a force on Kentucky’s defensive line. In three seasons at UK, Elam has totaled only 42 tackles and is yet to record a sack. This spring, he was behind Naquez Pringle on the depth chart.
Elam can’t do anything about the last three seasons, but he can quiet critics like McElroy by going out on a high note.
Matt Elam said he heard the comments made about him, working hard to make his senior season a good one.
— Kernel Sports (@KYKernelSports) July 30, 2017