On Saturday night, Elflein will receive the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's best center as determined by the Rimington committee.
"Yeah, it's crazy," he said Friday. "It's just been a long journey. There have been so many influential people along the way — my family and my coaches and teammates — who have helped me get to this point. I couldn't have done it without them.
"But it's definitely interesting to think about being rated that low and not really having many expectations to even ever step on the field. And then to be here in Lincoln this weekend to get this award, it's pretty cool.