If you've been to a football game or any other Ohio State football event in the last three years, chances are you've bumped into Stacy Elliott.
While his son Ezekiel was shredding defenses for the Buckeyes, Stacy, a former linebacker for the Missouri Tigers, was embracing his self-appointed role as an ambassador of goodwill for the Ohio State football program.
He was everywhere at all times in Columbus after moving up to help support Zeke while he was at OSU. High-fiving fans, posing for photos, signing autographs – all with a 100-watt smile and high praise for Urban Meyer, whom he credits with helping to shape Ezekiel into the man and player he'd become.
Friday marked a transition of sorts as Elliott assumed a role on the Ohio State staff as a program assistant.
#FNL, first day officially on my Post as Program assist. Urban Meyer teaches demand excellence in ur life! #GoBucks! pic.twitter.com/Jix42lCQp5
— Ambassador Elliott (@stacy_elliott) July 23, 2016
“My role is to talk to parents and recruits about why becoming a Buckeye is so special,” Elliott told Eleven Warriors. “Whatever I can do to assist in recruiting.”
It's a part-time role with the program, but it looks to be paying immediate dividends:
I had a long talk with Ezekiel Elliot's dad yesterday and he got me thinking ...
— Jackson Carman (@Jackson_Carman) July 24, 2016
That's Jackson Carman, an offensive tackle from Fairfield and the state of Ohio's No. 2 prospect in the 2018 class.
Ohio State's recruiting operation is a well-oiled machine at this point, but it never hurts to have advocates, particularly charismatic and persuasive ambassadors like Stacy Elliott, contributing to the effort.
