Pat Elflein

Pat Elflein's Biography

Patrick Elflein was born on July 6, 1994, in Pickerington, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. He grew up demonstrating skill and talent in multiple sports and was a four-year football letterman at Pickerington High School North. In addition to being twice named a football team captain, Elflein earned 12 letters in high school, allocated equally across football, wrestling, and track and field. He was distinguished for his achievements in multiple athletic spheres – recognized for his football prowess in All-Ohio Capital Conference, All-Central District, and the Dispatch’s All-Metro teams, and named the 2011 wrestler of the year in the Ohio Capital Conference. Elflein also displayed a talent for shotput, securing a division title in the 8th grade.

In due course, Elflein’s athletic talent drew attention from college scouts. Rated as the No. 22 guard prospect in the nation by ESPN and No. 31 by Scout.com, when the Ohio State University offered him a scholarship, he committed without hesitation. Joining Ohio State on July 14, 2011, he formed part of a stellar recruiting class, including fellow first-team Division I all-state offensive lineman Jacoby Boren.

At Ohio State, Elflein redshirted his first year in 2012 due to a foot injury. Making a full recovery, he returned as one of the team’s only two starters in 2015 and was named as a captain for his senior season in 2016. That year, Elflein won the prestigious Rimington Trophy and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy. Not only did he thrive on the field, but he also excelled academically, earning three OSU Scholar-Athlete awards and an Academic All-Big Ten Conference honor. Throughout his college career, he was named a first-team All-Big Ten every season for three consecutive years.

In the 2017 NFL Draft, Patrick Elflein was selected in the third round by the Minnesota Vikings. Living up to his impressive college performance, Elflein made an immediate impact, missing only two games in his rookie season due to a shoulder injury and earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team for his impressive contribution.

The following seasons tested Elflein’s resilience as he battled through a series of injuries that saw him shift between playing positions and miss considerable game time. Despite the setbacks, Elflein’s talent shone through as he was trusted to start significant games for both the Minnesota Vikings and later the New York Jets, who claimed him off waivers in November 2020.

Following his stint with the Jets, Elflein signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on March 17, 2021. He started as the team’s left guard, but after a series of roster changes, Elflein assumed the position of the team’s starting center for the 2022 season. However, his time with the Panthers was cut short due to a hip injury and, eventually, his release from the team.

On July 25, 2023, Elflein took on a new opportunity signing with the Arizona Cardinals, then subsequently moved teams again to the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal. However, a calf injury during his first practice saw him placed on injured reserve, and he was eventually released due to the injury.

As of now, Patrick Elflein, a distinguished American professional football player, is a free agent. His career trajectory encapsulates an impressive record of resilience, adaptability, and consistent high-level performance, whether in high school, college football, or the National Football League.