Michigan State Football: Report card for 2015 season
Offensive Line: B
Jack Conklin’s decision to forgo his senior season and make the jump to the NFL was a tough pill to swallow for Michigan State and head coach Mark Dantonio. Although the Spartans seem to reload on the offensive line every year, despite never having an actual NFL Draft pick come from the offensive line in the Dantonio era, Conklin was an All-American and looked to be the most trusted returning player.
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Conklin put together an All-American season while Jack Allen did the same at center while also finishing as the runner-up for the Rimington Award.
Donavon Clark, Kodi Kieler and Brian Allen all rounded out the starting unit, but even though they were all part of the “best offensive line unit in the Dantonio era”, they severely under-achieved. Kieler missed some time with injury, Brian Allen also played through injury, but those bumps and bruises made it nearly impossible for the offensive line to gel this season.
If I were to give a preseason grade on what I thought the offensive line would be, it would easily have been an ‘A’ or maybe even higher.
Unfortunately, Jack Allen, Clark and Conklin are all heading to the next level, leaving just two returning offensive linemen for next season.
Next: Defensive Line