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SEC Breakout Players 2016

By Justin Melton

Bo Scarborough has all the tools to be the next great running back in Tuscaloosa. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Bo Scarborough has all the tools to be the next great running back in Tuscaloosa. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matt Elam, DT, Kentucky

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
Matt Elam is a big man with big potential. This is the year he finally meets it. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Elam arrived at Kentucky as a highly regarded 4-star recruit. Nick Saban and Alabama reportedly made a hard push for Elam’s services. But the big man elected to stay close to home and chose Kentucky.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Elam has not lived up to his lofty recruiting ranking thus far in his career. Through his first two seasons Elam has made a combined 33 tackles and .5 tackles for loss. Those are disappointing numbers to say the least.

Related Story: Kentucky: Fall Camp Questions

This season, Elam looks to be the full-time starter at nose tackle. He has lost a considerable amount of weight, down from 380 to 350, and wants to lose even more before the season starts. This should help Elam’s quickness as well as his stamina. Look for Elam to be the rock in the middle of the Kentucky defense this fall.

Next: This Backup Would Start at a lot of SEC Schools

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