The only way Matt Elam has a chance to win Mr. Football is if the JH properly market him and his accomplishments to the media. They need to keep detailed stats for him and release them to the statewide media after every game. They need to break down game film and announce how many yards teams gain or lose when they run to his side and to the other side. How many sacks and tackles for each game. Is he close to a school record? On and on. Every time you read an article on John Hardin, Matt Elam's game stats for defense need to be included.

 

It's the only way he has a shot.

Scribe I agree with you. He won't win the award. I just stated he is the best player with the most and highest potential. He is ranked 10th nationally of all players in the country by Rivals 247. Rankings are just that though. Play does the talking for all athletes. A qb will win.

I'm incredibly biased and felt like Rees Macshara should have gotten it but I think that there were 2-4 people who could have gotten it that year. Andrews, Collinsworth, Macshara, the RB from LexChristian was that year also. Seems like there may have even been another 1-2 who were worthy.

I thought Rees Macshara should have gotten it too. Man I love the way that kid played the game. I also thought he was very under rated RB. He had D1 written all over him but he got no love & all the D1 schools passed on this kid!!!

I thought Rees Macshara should have gotten it too. Man I love the way that kid played the game. I also thought he was very under rated RB. He had D1 written all over him but he got no love & all the D1 schools passed on this kid!!!

 

I've never enjoyed watching some in high school play football like I enjoyed watching Rees. I still call him Mr. Football when I see him. I hope to make it up to Morehead State to watch him this season.

I thought Rees Macshara should have gotten it too. Man I love the way that kid played the game. I also thought he was very under rated RB. He had D1 written all over him but he got no love & all the D1 schools passed on this kid!!!

Probably not what you meant, but Morehead State is a D1 school.

I don't think Matt Elam can win it because he will always be double and triple teamed by opposing teams. This happened last year and I don't think any team is foolish enough to put one blocker on him consistently throughout a game. What this does though is create opportunities for John Hardin's other players to make plays. Life of a dominant D-Lineman I guess

Scribe I agree with you. He won't win the award. I just stated he is the best player with the most and highest potential. He is ranked 10th nationally of all players in the country by Rivals 247. Rankings are just that though. Play does the talking for all athletes. A qb will win.

 

Elam is a very good player Ed, but Rivals and 247 are two separate organizations. Rivals has Elam ranked as 24th best at his position, 2nd ranked player in the state and a 3 Star player.

 

You are right though, rankings are just that.

After reading through this thread I am ultra-excited to watch Elam against Highlands on September 14th.

 

I really enjoyed watching Hatcher from Trinity last year and getting a chance to see Elam this season will make the match-up even that much better.

Probably not what you meant, but Morehead State is a D1 school.

Yes, not what I meant. I meant Division 1a. BTW How is Rees doing at Morehead State?

Yes, not what I meant. I meant Division 1a. BTW How is Rees doing at Morehead State?

It seems the coaching staff is pretty high on him, as they should be. I would say he will have a great career at Morehead.

Yes, not what I meant. I meant Division 1a. BTW How is Rees doing at Morehead State?

 

2012 Stats for Rees

 

1013 yds rushing; 92.1 yd per game; 5.9 yd per carry; 6 TD's

2012 Stats for Rees

 

1013 yds rushing; 92.1 yd per game; 5.9 yd per carry; 6 TD's

 

That's Super, though I'm not surprised Rees is a really good football player!!!I'm really glad to hear he is doing well & I will certainly look for him this season. Does anyone know if Morehead state or Pioneer Football League gets any TV/internet coverage?

Put me down for Matt Elam. I think a late push by UK's recruiting could make or break him. If he goes to Alabama, Florida, or anywhere else, then give me Barker. Both are great players, but with the fans and influence of UK around the state, it's not hard to see either winning. Bonnafan is a great player going to a great program in Louisville, but I think that, along with his not getting more interest from other schools (because they probably had a strong sense he was going to Louisville) will end up hurting him. Not saying it's right, just saying that's how it is.

 

If there's no chance that Elam will be at UK, then they'll want to sell recruits on playing with Kentucky's Mr. Football.

 

If there's a good chance UK is still in the mix for Elam, that could push some voters toward him, especially if it meant they could say that Barker, an Elite 11 QB, wasn't even the state's Mr. Football (who is on the team as well).

 

Just how I look at it. I think either of those players would be a deserving winner. Not trying to down on the rest of the talent outside of those 3, but the kinds of offers those two have are what set them apart in my mind.

 

Per ESPN, Barker's Offers:

UK, Louisville, South Carolina, Tennessee, & Miami, FL (with interest from LSU, Auburn, Ohio St., Wisconsin).

 

Per ESPN, Elam's Offers:

UK, Louisville, Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State (with interest from Florida).

 

 

Not a bad list of offers for either.

I don't know that offers from colleges has anything to do with it. What was that young man a few years a go who won it - Atwell ? As I recall he didn't have many offers. I think it should be based on how the player performs at the high school level (also refer to the boy won Mr. Basketball a few years ago from South Laurel (I think)---he didn't have many offers, if any, from big-time colleges.)

The reason Matt Elam is fighting an uphill battle is that voters and the common fan are not sophisticated enough to recognize outstanding line play.....and I count myself among that number.

I don't know that offers from colleges has anything to do with it. What was that young man a few years a go who won it - Atwell ? As I recall he didn't have many offers. I think it should be based on how the player performs at the high school level (also refer to the boy won Mr. Basketball a few years ago from South Laurel (I think)---he didn't have many offers, if any, from big-time colleges.)

The reason Matt Elam is fighting an uphill battle is that voters and the common fan are not sophisticated enough to recognize outstanding line play.....and I count myself among that number.

The only reason Elam will have trouble winning the award has everything to do with the position he plays.

 

Just like the Heisman trophy, it is an award that goes to a spotlight position, a popularity contest etc. It will 90% of the time end up going to a glamor position that gets the headlines. QB's, RB's and WR's are the glamor spots on offense that get all the recognition and LB's or DB's are the ones on defense that get noticed.

 

If Elam doesn't win the award that doesn't mean he wasn't the best player in the state, it's the same for many players each season.