Matt Elam

Matt Elam

Elam with theDC Defendersin 2020
No. 5 –Massachusetts Pirates
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1991-09-21)September 21, 1991 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:	William T. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)
College:	Florida(2010–2012)
NFL draft:	2013/ round: 1 / pick: 32
Career history
Baltimore Ravens(2013–2016) Saskatchewan Roughriders(2018) DC Defenders(2020) Tucson Sugar Skulls(2021) Vegas Knight Hawks(2022)* Edmonton Elks(2022) Vegas Knight Hawks (2022–2023) Orlando Guardians(2023) Orlando Predators(2024)* Massachusetts Pirates(2024–present)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
First-teamAll-American(2012) First-teamAll-SEC(2012)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 131 Sacks: 0.5 Forced fumbles: 1 Fumble recoveries: 2 Interceptions: 1 StatsatPro Football Reference
Statsat CFL.ca

Matthew D. Elam(born September 21, 1991) is an American professionalfootballsafetyfor theMassachusetts Piratesof theIndoor Football League(IFL). He playedcollege footballfor theFlorida Gators,where he earnedAll-Americanhonors. He was selected by theBaltimore Ravensin the first round of the2013 NFL draft.

Early life

Elam was born inPalm Beach Gardens, Florida.He attendedWilliam T. Dwyer High Schoolin Palm Beach Gardens, where he playedlinebacker,defensive back,running backandwide receiverfor the Dwyer Panthers high school football team. As a senior, he had 1,883 rushing yards and 27touchdowns.He was namedGatorade High School Football Player of the YearandMr. Footballfor the state of Florida,and aUSA Todayhigh school All-American. He played in the 2010U.S. Army All-American Bowl,where he announced his intent to play at the University of Florida during the game. He is the younger brother of former NFL safetyAbram Elamand the uncle of current NFL cornerbackKaiir Elam.

College career

Elam accepted an athletic scholarship to attend theUniversity of Florida,where he played for coachUrban Meyerand coachWill Muschamp'sFlorida Gators footballteams from 2010 to 2012. As a freshman in 2010, Elam played in all 13 games and recorded 22 tackles. As a full-time starter during his 2011 sophomore season, he had 78 tackles, twointerceptionsand twoquarterback sacks.Following his junior season in 2012, he was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press,The Sporting News,CBS Sports, Scout.com andSports Illustrated,as well as a second-team selection by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was also a first-teamAll-Southeastern Conferenceselection and a semifinalist for both theThorpe AwardandBednarik Award.

College statistics

Career statistics			Tackles			Sacks	Interceptions			Other
Season	Games	Starts	Solo	Ast	Total	Sack	TFL	Int	Yds	IntTD	DefTD	FFum	FRec	PD
2010	13	0	16	6	22	1.0	1.5	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
2011	13	13	50	28	78	2.0	11.0	2	18	0	0	2	0	7
2012	13	13	58	18	76	2.0	11.0	4	73	0	0	1	0	5
Totals	39	26	124	52	176	5.0	23.5	6	91	0	0	3	0	13

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
5 ft9+7⁄8in (1.77 m)	208 lb (94 kg)	32+5⁄8in (0.83 m)	9 in (0.23 m)	4.54 s	1.58 s	2.53 s	35.5 in (0.90 m)	9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)	17 reps
All values fromNFL Combine

Elam was viewed as one of the top safeties in 2013 years draft class. Some experts and scouts said he lacked size for a safety with just a height of 5' 10 "and maybe should be moved to corner because of that. He is known for his ability to make electrifying plays all over the field and for his emotional leadership. Most experts projected Elam to go mid- or in the late first round of the NFL Draft.

Baltimore Ravens

Elam with the Ravens in 2013

TheBaltimore Ravensselected him in the first round (32nd overall pick) of the2013 NFL draft.After a promising rookie season, Elam struggled the following year causing him to lose playing time. On August 31, 2015, Elam was placed on injured reserve, after suffering a torn bicep and missed the entire 2015 NFL season.

On May 2, 2016, the Ravens did not pick up the optional fifth year of his contract.On September 5, 2016, Elam was placed on injured reserve.Elam was activated off injured reserve on November 5, 2016 prior to Week 9.

With declining performance since his rookie year, missing significant playing time, and given the Ravens decision to not pick up the final year of his rookie contract, Elam was considered a bust given his status as a first-round draft pick.

After his arrest on February 26, 2017, the Ravens released a statement regarding the upcoming free agent, stating "we are aware of the arrest of Matt Elam. Matt is not in our plans for the2017 Ravens",indicating their plans of moving on from Elam.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Elam was signed to the practice roster of theSaskatchewan Roughridersof theCanadian Football League(CFL) on July 2, 2018. He was promoted to the active roster on July 24, but was placed on the suspended list on November 7. He was released on May 24, 2019.

DC Defenders

In October 2019, Elam was picked by theDC Defendersduring the open phase of the2020 XFL Draft.He was waived on March 3, 2020.

Tucson Sugar Skulls

On March 13, 2021, Elam signed with theTucson Sugar Skullsof theIndoor Football League(IFL).

Vegas Knight Hawks (first stint)

In November 2021, Elam signed with theVegas Knight Hawksof the IFL for the 2022 season.

Edmonton Elks

TheEdmonton Elksof the CFL announced the signing of Elam on January 26, 2022.He was released on June 27, 2022.

Vegas Knight Hawks (second stint)

On July 2, 2022, it was reported that Elam had signed with the Knight Hawks.

Orlando Guardians

Elam was selected in the 11th round of the 2023 XFL Defensive Backs Draft, by theOrlando Guardians.

Orlando Predators

On December 5, 2023, Elam signed with theOrlando Predatorsof theArena Football League.

Massachusetts Pirates

On February 5, 2024, Elam signed with theMassachusetts Pirates.

NFL career statistics

Season	Team	GP	GS	Comb	Total	Ast	Sck	PDef	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TDs	FF
2013	Baltimore Ravens	16	15	77	54	23	0.0	3	1	18	18.0	18	0	0
2014	Baltimore Ravens	16	11	50	31	19	0.5	4	0	0	0	0	0	1
2016	Baltimore Ravens	9	0	4	4	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	41	26	131	89	42	0.5	7	1	18	18.0	18	0	1

Legal troubles

On February 26, 2017, Elam was arrested inMiami, Floridafor possession of 126.2 grams ofmarijuanaand 3.1 grams ofoxycodone.He was charged with one count of cannabis possession, one count of possession of cannabis with intent to sell or deliver, and one count of possession of a controlled substance. On June 26, 2017, the drug charges were dropped.

On May 22, 2017, Elam was arrested onbatteryandtheftcharges involving a dispute with his girlfriend over aniPhone.Delray Beach Police charged him with suspicion ofgrand theftand misdemeanor battery after confrontation and was booked in Palm Beach County Jail and had abondset at $4,500. According to a police report, he went to his girlfriend's residence to pick up a vehicle and attempted to grab her iPhone from her hand after she refused to give him his money. During the process of grabbing the phone, the couple fell to the ground and continued to struggle over it. She then entered his vehicle and took his cell phone and Elam responded by leaving after she refused to return it.On June 21, 2017, the charges were dropped after the prosecutor said the accuser would not cooperate and they had insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

See also

• 2012 College Football All-America Team
• List of Baltimore Ravens first-round draft picks
• List of Florida Gators football All-Americans
• List of Florida Gators in the NFL draft

External links

• Matt Elam– Baltimore Ravens player profile
• Matt Elam– Florida Gators athlete profile