Pat Elflein is one step closer to adding another very significant individual award to his trophy case.
| PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| PAT ELFLEIN | CENTER | OHIO STATE |
| CAM ROBINSON | OFFENSIVE TACKLE | ALABAMA |
| CODY O'CONNELL | OFFENSIVE GUARD | WASHINGTON STATE |
Ohio State's fifth-year senior center and team captain is one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, given annually to college football's top interior lineman on offense or defense by the Football Writers Association of America. The other finalists are Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson and Washington State offensive guard Cody O'Connell.
Elflein is trying to become the fifth Buckeye to win the Outland Trophy. Past winners include Jim Parker (1956), Jim Stillwagon (1970), John Hicks (1973) and Orlando Pace (1996).
Elflein is the fulcrum to an Ohio State offensive line that paves the way for the Big Ten's top rushing attack at 263.1 yards per game. With 40 career starts, he is the most important and best player up front on a group that had three new starters at the beginning of the 2016 season.
An All-Big Ten first-team selection at guard as a sophomore and junior, Elflein moved to center this season following the departure of Jacoby Boren. The battery of Elflein and quarterback J.T. Barrett are integral parts to why the Buckeyes are first in the Big Ten and eighth nationally in scoring at 43.8 points per game.
The winner of the Outland Trophy is set to be announced on Thursday, Dec. 8 as part of the College Football Awards show on ESPN.
