Joe Dexter
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Pat Elflein Will Return to Ohio State for his Senior Season
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Ohio State Buckeyes will be without three starters from this year’s offensive line in 2016.
One player that will not be departing though is to be senior Pat Elflein, who took to twitter on Friday night to announce that he would return to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility.
With ALL focus on ND. I have decided to return for my last year & help this team achieve our goals.Thanks for the support #BuckeyeNation
— Patrick Elflein (@elflein65) December 18, 2015
The versatile Pickerington native started all 15 games for the National Champion Buckeyes in 2014. He started the season at left guard, but moved to the right side of the line after 12 games. The first team All-B1G selection by the coaches in 2014 was a key cog in Ezekiel Elliott’s groundbreaking postseason in early 2015 and helped lead one of the best team rushing seasons in school history.
In 2015, Elflein returned to the Ohio State offensive line at right guard and yet again received All-B1G honors at the position. Despite the struggles for the Buckeye passing game in 2015, the soon to be 5th year senior was one of the few consistent players on that side of the ball.
In fact, he was one of the best pass blockers in college football, according to College Football Film Room.
Elflein led Ohio State with a pass block success rate of 98.3%.. just 5 QB pressures allowed in 299 snaps. https://t.co/nMw4Zbn5Ca
— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) December 18, 2015
Elflein will not only be the one of two returning starters on the offensive line — he’ll also more than likely be considered as a front runner as a captain in 2016. By returning to Ohio State, he also will be in the running to be just the 20th player in Ohio State history to be named and All-Big Ten first teamer three times.
With the NFL projecting him as a center in the future, it’s expected that he will move to that position in 2016, as he prepares for the next level. It also makes sense when looking closer at the top-tier talent that could fill his void at guard in 2016.
One of the favorites of Buckeye Nation, Elflein announced last week that he was leaning toward staying for his final season, but needed time to weigh his options.
Much like in 2014, when Taylor Decker was the only returning starter on the offensive line, Elflein will play a major role in helping his fellow lineman make the transition to playing every down early in the season. He’ll be joined by left guard Billy Price, who will also more than likely return to start at the position for the third straight year.
The post Pat Elflein Will Return to Ohio State for his Senior Season appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Ohio State Buckeyes will be without three starters from this year’s offensive line in 2016.
One player that will not be departing though is to be senior Pat Elflein, who took to twitter on Friday night to announce that he would return to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility.
With ALL focus on ND. I have decided to return for my last year & help this team achieve our goals.Thanks for the support #BuckeyeNation
— Patrick Elflein (@elflein65) December 18, 2015
The versatile Pickerington native started all 15 games for the National Champion Buckeyes in 2014. He started the season at left guard, but moved to the right side of the line after 12 games. The first team All-B1G selection by the coaches in 2014 was a key cog in Ezekiel Elliott’s groundbreaking postseason in early 2015 and helped lead one of the best team rushing seasons in school history.
In 2015, Elflein returned to the Ohio State offensive line at right guard and yet again received All-B1G honors at the position. Despite the struggles for the Buckeye passing game in 2015, the soon to be 5th year senior was one of the few consistent players on that side of the ball.
In fact, he was one of the best pass blockers in college football, according to College Football Film Room.
Elflein led Ohio State with a pass block success rate of 98.3%.. just 5 QB pressures allowed in 299 snaps. https://t.co/nMw4Zbn5Ca
— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) December 18, 2015
Elflein will not only be the one of two returning starters on the offensive line — he’ll also more than likely be considered as a front runner as a captain in 2016. By returning to Ohio State, he also will be in the running to be just the 20th player in Ohio State history to be named and All-Big Ten first teamer three times.
With the NFL projecting him as a center in the future, it’s expected that he will move to that position in 2016, as he prepares for the next level. It also makes sense when looking closer at the top-tier talent that could fill his void at guard in 2016.
One of the favorites of Buckeye Nation, Elflein announced last week that he was leaning toward staying for his final season, but needed time to weigh his options.
Much like in 2014, when Taylor Decker was the only returning starter on the offensive line, Elflein will play a major role in helping his fellow lineman make the transition to playing every down early in the season. He’ll be joined by left guard Billy Price, who will also more than likely return to start at the position for the third straight year.
The post Pat Elflein Will Return to Ohio State for his Senior Season appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...