He attended William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, where he played linebacker, defensive back, running back and wide receiver for the Dwyer Panthers high school football team.

[9][10] 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.

[14] 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.

[16] Elam was signed to the practice roster of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on July 2, 2018.

[18] On March 13, 2021, Elam signed with the Tucson Sugar Skulls of the Indoor Football League (IFL).

[28] On May 22, 2017, Elam was arrested on battery and theft charges involving a dispute with his girlfriend over an iPhone.

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.

She then entered his vehicle and took his cell phone and Elam responded by leaving after she refused to return it.

[29] 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.