Ohio State center Pat Elflein named one of five semifinalists for Outland Trophy

Gene Ross
Thu, 17 Nov 2016 01:05:13 +0000
Football, Sports, Buckeyes, offensive line, ohio state football, osu, outland trophy, Pat Elflein, semifinalist

OSU redshirt senior offensive linesman Pat Elflein prepares for the Buckeyes game against the Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 17 at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. The Buckeyes won 45-24. Credit: Alexa Mavrogianis | Photo Editor

Ohio State redshirt senior center Pat Elflein has been named one of five semifinalists for the Outland Trophy, a prestigious award given to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman.

One of the team captains for the 2016 season, Elflein is starting for a third consecutive season. This year, the two-time first-team all-Big Ten lineman transitioned from guard to center, taking over after the departure of Jacoby Boren.

Before the start of the season, there were questions surrounding the front five for OSU. Outside of Elflein and fellow All-American candidate Billy Price, the Buckeyes offensive line includes three first-year starters.

Elflein has had a big role in an Ohio State offense that finds itself first in the Big Ten in rushing (267), yards per carry (5.7) and total offense (511.4). The Buckeyes also rank second nationally in scoring (46.5 ppg).

Along with the Outland Trophy, Elflein is also one of 20 players in the running for the Lombardi Award, awarded to college football’s best lineman or linebacker, and is on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best center.