Guess what. We’re back on track with young buck offensive linemen that are still in the league and for day 65, I’m fired up to highlight this former Buckeye, even though he didn’t pan out for MY Vikings.
Pat Elflein is an Ohio native growing up in Pickerington, Ohio which is a suburb of Columbus, Ohio where Ohio State is. Elflein wrestled in high school in addition to being the number twenty two overall guard in his recruiting class. He was named the OCC wrestler of the year and made the Ohio state tournament.
Elflein decided to stay close to home and play for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 2012, Elflein redshirted due to a foot injury and would bounce back. In 2013, he played all fourteen games as a reserve, backing up All Pro center Corey Linsley. He played so well in a win against Michigan that he earned the starting spot in the BIG Ten Championship against Michigan State.
Elflein really elevated his play in his next three seasons from 2014 to 2016. He started and anchored down the offensive line in dominant fashion. In that three year span, Elflein earned first team All Big Ten three times, 2016 BIG Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, won the 2016 Rimington Trophy, and was a 2016 All American.
In 2016 he was instrumental in the Buckeyes winning the National Title and paving the way for Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliot. Him and Malik Hooker were the first pair of Buckeye teammates to be named consensus All-Americans in the same year since Eddie George and Orlando Pace were in 1995.
For tomorrow, we veer away from run blockers to a run stuffer that played his college ball in Austin, Texas.