Notre Dame football recruiting: DT Matt Elam drops Irish from top list

Notre Dame has fallen out of the running for senior defensive tackle prospect Matt Elam.

The 6-foot-5, 370-pound recruit announced Thursday on Twitter that Alabama and Kentucky were his final two choices. In a follow-up with the South Bend Tribune, Elam confirmed he had dropped Notre Dame from the running.

“I love ND and the staff but I just couldn't drag them along,” Elam said in a text. “It was mutual. It’s a great college choice but I’m just not ready.”

Elam alluded to pressure from Notre Dame to commit earlier than his scheduled decision date of Jan. 4 at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

“They need to know if I’m going there or not, so I told them I’m fine with them moving on and giving it to another player,” Elam said in a text.

The Irish sent 270 letters of recruiting mail to Elam in November to represent his hometown area code in Elizabethtown, Ky. Elam ranks as a five-star prospect, the No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 7 overall in the 2014 class according to 247Sports. Rivals rates Elam as a three-star recruit and the No. 26 defensive tackle.

“I wish them the best and they are proud of me,” Elam wrote. “We ended on good terms. That’s the best you can ask for.”

My Final Two College Choices Alabama And UK !! Hats Will Be On The Table !! Which One Will I Choose ?? #BBN#Bama

— Matt Elam™6⃣9⃣ (@FballIsLife69) December 19, 2013 //

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