Anyone who watched an Ohio State football game this season knows Pat Elflein is one of the best players on his team. Now, the fifth-year senior center is recognized as one of the five finest in the entire country.
| PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| PAT ELFLEIN | CENTER | OHIO STATE |
| CODY O'CONNELL | GUARD | WASHINGTON STATE |
| ETHAN POCIC | CENTER | LSU |
| CAM ROBINSON | TACKLE | ALABAMA |
| CONNOR WILLIAMS | TACKLE | TEXAS |
Elflein is one of five semifinalists for the Outland Trophy, given annually to college football's most outstanding interior lineman. The Football Writers Association of America announced the narrowing of the 70-player watch list from July to five on Wednesday evening.
Elflein is also one of 20 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award and is on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's best center.
A team captain, Elflein serves as one of the main pieces on an offense that ranks second in the country in scoring (46.5 points per game), 10th and first in the Big Ten in rushing at 267 yards per game, 11th and first in total offense with 511.4 yards per game, 16th and first in passing efficiency at 152.42, tied for fourth in the nation and top in the conference in fewest interceptions thrown with four and eighth and first in yards per carry average at 5.7.
Three finalists for the Outland Trophy are set to be announced on Tuesday during The Home Depot College Football Awards Nomination Special at 3 p.m. on ESPNU. The winner is scheduled to be announced on Dec. 8 on ESPN at the College Football Awards Show, which starts at 7 p.m.
Given to the nation's best interior lineman, the @outlandtrophy named its 5 semifinalists last night.@elflein65 was one of them. #beast pic.twitter.com/TqeCnsoPSO
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 17, 2016
