It wasn't the first time one of his fellow offensive linemen hijacked an interview, nor will it be the last.
This time, though, was a little bit different for Ohio State's Taylor Decker. This time, he had just been prompted with the question many had been dying to ask him: What made you come back?
"How could I leave guys like this?" Decker said Thursday, with redshirt junior Pat Elflein's arm around his neck. "We’ve got the Slob House, how are we not going to play with each other for my senior year?"
There are other factors, sure, like finishing his degree in zoology and getting another opportunity to win championships as a college kid, but Decker all but forfeited millions of dollars by returning for his final year at Ohio State.
Projected as high as a second-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, the long, big and talented left tackle could be visiting with potential employers right now instead of grinding through another spring practice with some of his best friends.
As it turns out, that's all that really mattered.
"I thought about it, honestly, because you see things in the media and whatnot, but I know speaking with my parents and whatnot I had always planned on coming back for my senior year," Decker said. "It’s something I considered briefly, but all in all it’s always been the best decision for me to stay here.”
A soon to be three-year starter and team captain, Decker's development under Ed Warinner's watch is a big reason why Ohio State's offensive line steadily improved last season following a ghastly performance in a loss to Virginia Tech.
He was the lone carryover from a unit that lost four starters, three of which are currently playing in the NFL.
"I love the chemistry of those guys. They're great people. I love being around them," Warinner said of the guys in his meeting room. "They're part of a family that we're all a part of."
That all starts with Decker, who's play on the field has helped Buckeye Nation forget all about that rough day two years ago against the University of Buffalo and future top-5 NFL Draft pick Khalil Mack, his first career start. Decker struggled, but bonded together with the likes of Jack Mewhort, Andrew Norwell and others to get better, just like younger guys in Elflein, Jacoby Boren and Billy Price did last season when Ohio State won the national title.
"(The NFL is) something I considered briefly but all in all it’s always been the best decision for me to stay here.”– Taylor Decker
Decker and Elflein live together at the 'Slob House,' while the four of them and redshirt senior Chase Farris hang out all the time even when they're outside the friendly confines of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
"When you like doing what you're doing, it's so much easier to get better and be here," Elflein said. "We're all like really good friends. So it just makes practice easier and we love coming out here together and going to work."
It all starts with the oldest and most experienced guy on the line in Decker, who knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't jump at the chance to play with his best friends for one more year even after winning it all.
"I have personal goals that I don’t want to draw any attention to because that’s sort of selfish, but I do have personal goals that I think if I achieve will help this team," Decker said. "Those are important to me and I want to achieve those and the NFL will be there after my senior year."
