Kentucky Football: Ranking the Top 5 recruiting wins in the Mark Stoops era

Dec 31, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops (center) looks on from the bench in the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at EverBank Field. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets won 33-18. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 3, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Matt Elam (69) walks off the field after the game against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Eastern Kentucky 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Matt Elam, DT

Matt Elam was a hot commodity out of John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Alabama was hot on the heels of the big man. Elam is a 6-foot-7, 360 pound monster who overpowered everyone in his path during his prep career. Matt Elam was like Andre the Giant on the football field compared to his peers. Drawing interest from every in-state school including Louisville, Elam also racked up offers from Ohio State, Tennessee, Purdue, Notre Dame and Mississippi State.

Elam was one of first big time recruits of the Stoops era. Although his hype hasn’t translated to on-field production, he is a recruiting win nonetheless.

In his time at Kentucky, Elam has managed to play sparingly at the nose tackle position. Battling to stay on the field is key for success for Matt. He has to be in better shape and give more in the run game defense than what he has showed.

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