INDIANAPOLIS – Many people expected Pat Elflein to be part of Ohio State's 2016 draft class as many of his teammates made the leap from the college ranks to the pro ranks. Elflein bucked the trend however and took on a position change and a leadership with the Buckeyes as they made their way to the College Football Playoff.

The season did not end as everyone had hoped as Ohio State lost to the eventual national champion in the Fiesta Bowl but the season was a good one for Elflein has he had a full season to play center, the position many feel that he will thrive at in the NFL. But he is not closing the door on any position.

"I tell them that I will play either, obviously," Elflein said. "I told them I have experience starting at right and left guard and center. I am able to play all three and switch around and be versatile. That is a good marketing tool for me. I just tell them whatever the need is, I can do it and at a high level."

Elflein was a member of Ohio State's recruiting class of 2012 and Ohio State's record-setting draft class of 2016 was actually filled with many players a year younger than Pat, members of the 2013 class. In Pat's class guys like Taylor Decker, Michael Thomas, Adolphus Washington and Cardale Jones all heard their names called while Elflein was gearing up for one more college season. Elflein would not have had it any other way.

Pat's career was an unlikely one if you look at star rankings. He was rated as a 3-star by Rivals.com and was overshadowed in his own recruiting class by Decker, Joey O'Connor and Kyle Dodson. Of the eight Buckeyes at the NFL Combine, three of them were 3-stars and Elflein was maybe one of the most overlooked with mostly MAC and lower Big Ten offers coming out of Pickerington (Ohio) North high school.

Health concerns after an infection during Elflein's freshman season put his career in even further doubt but that did not deter Elflein as he kept pushing and made his way on the field in 2013 as a R-Freshman and finally into the starting lineup during Ohio State's National Championship run of 2014.

Elflein has been working with former Ohio State linemen LeCharles Bentley and is down to 303 pounds and feels great.

"I think I have definitely changed a lot," Elflein said. "Changed my eating habits completely. I think that is what it is. I have definitely gotten leaner and stronger. I am healthier and in better shape and feel great. Best I have ever felt."