SNP photo by Craig James
Pickerington North's Pat Elflein, now a 2012 Ohio State football signee, poses with a friend Wednesday, Feb. 1
Elflein, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman and Division I first-team All-Ohioan, received the most attention from the media at the ceremony, as he will don the Scarlet and Gray later this summer -- and faxed in his letter of intent earlier that morning.
"It's a great feeling," Elflein said. "Words can't really describe it. It's a good feeling being it's official now, and now officially I can call myself a Buckeye."
The Panthers senior has heard all of the talk about OSU needing help on the offensive line, and hopes to see early action.
"That's my goal is to get in there and play right away," he said, "but if it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen, and I'm just going to keep working hard until that day finally comes. But yeah, that's my goal, is to be on the field."
Pickerington can boast two Buckeyes this recruiting period, as offensive lineman Jacoby Boren (6-2, 275) from across-town Pickerington Central signed even earlier, enrolling at Ohio State last month.
But Elflein had other plans in mind, like being on the D-I state meet mats in early March. He reached the consolation second round at states last year.
"I thought about (enrolling early), but I'm a wrestler...and that would interfere with the state tournament and what I want to accomplish in high school," he said.
His wrestling goal is to be state champion.
"I'm ranked No. 2 right now in the state (at 285 pounds)," said Elflein.
If he goes on and wins a varsity letter in track and field this spring, he will come away from North with 12 letters for his prep career.
Elflein will be going into an OSU program that was hit by NCAA sanctions and resulted in the Buckeyes hiring a new coach in Urban Meyer.
"It was a lot to take in, but I knew in the end (my decision) was still going to be Ohio State, and it didn't really affect me that much what was going on," Elflein said.
"It was hard not to (think about it), because that was the school I was committed to and what was going on with it. But it is what it is, and you've just got to live with it. I wasn't going to change (my mind)."
Being a local OSU signee "is a good feeling," he added.
"I don't know of one kid in the state of Ohio that would ever turn down that offer," said Phillips. "You do see some (choose to go elsewhere), but when they get that Buckeye offer, you usually see that kid commit now.
"When Ohio State came (with an offer in late June), I think (Elflein) answered that within five seconds or less.
"He's a warrior. He wants to play for the Buckeyes."
