KANSAS CITY — Staley 2018 Zach Elam is widely considered to be among the Kansas City area’s top tight end prospects has seen his stock rise this spring and through the early stages of the summer.

At 6’4, 215-pounds, Elam possesses good speed and agility as evidenced by his 4.71 40 time and his 4.49 shuttle time. Mix in a 32.5 inch vertical and it’s easy to see why he was named third-team all-state and first-team all-conference last year. He says he brings a hard working attitude to the team.

“I play tight end primary, I’m mostly on the line blocking the defensive line men up front,“ Elam says. “Sometimes I’m split out and they throw me the ball if I’m open.”

Also a standout wrestler, Elam says he brings a tough, hard-nosed work ethic to the locker room and football field.

A year ago, Staley fell in a hard-fought Class 5 playoff game to eventual state champion Vianney and Elam says that it is the game that stands out most.
 
“I learned a lot of lessons during and after that game,” he said. “It’s a game I want to happen again this upcoming season. It’ll be a battle.”

Elam says he is spending much of the offseason focused on improving his route running and coming out of his stance better and hasn’t totally lost track of the defensive side of the ball either. Although he is primarily a tight end, he has been an impact player on the defensive line as well.

Elam says he began playing football at the age of 4 and his first team was the Central Sharks. 
He says his father has had the biggest impact on his career and that he is a fan of former Kansas City Chief tight end Tony Gonzalez.

“He was one of the best to ever play tight end and he led by example,” Elam said.

Elam has received interest from Navy, Army, Iowa, Air Force, SDSU, NDSU, and several others and currently holds offers from Navy, Army and West Point.