Pat Elflein

Ohio State offensive lineman Pat Elflein announced on Friday that he will be returning for his senior season.

(Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State offensive lineman Pat Elflein announced on Friday night that he will be returning for his senior season.

Elfelin, who said on Thursday that he was still undecided about his future, announced the news on his public Twitter account.

With ALL focus on ND. I have decided to return for my last year & help this team achieve our goals.Thanks for the support #BuckeyeNation — Patrick Elflein (@elflein65) December 18, 2015

There are a number of draft-eligible players on Ohio State's roster who could declare early for the NFL Draft. Players like Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott and Cardale Jones have all but confirmed that they won't be back next year. None of that is surprising.

But keeping a player like Elflein, who's one of a handful seemingly on the fence about leaving, is a huge win for Ohio State. Elflein will be a fifth-year senior entering his third year as a starter. He's been solidified at right guard the last two years, but a move to center could be in his future.

Elflein was the backup center to Jacoby Boren the last two years, and if that's the position he's projected to play in the NFL, it's safe to expect a move there next year. That's a big help for Ohio State, which will now only have to replace three starters on the offensive line.

Boren, and tackles Taylor Decker and Chase Farris are gone.

Elflein, who landed on two second-team All-American lists this season, gives Ohio State a strong foundation in the middle of the offensive line. He'll anchor the inside with returning left guard Billy Price, who will be in his third year starting.

That kind of experience will make the addition of three new starters easier to deal with.