Michigan State Football: Brian Allen named to Rimington Trophy watch list

Michigan State football has an impressive man in the middle of the offensive line as Brian Allen has been named to the Rimington Trophy watch list.

Just three years after being named to the Freshman All-American team, senior center Brian Allen is following his older brother’s footsteps, getting named to the Rimington Trophy watch list. The trophy is given annually to the nation’s top center.

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Jack Allen, a multi-year starter for the Spartans from 2012-15, was the runner-up for the Rimington Trophy in 2015 before getting picked up by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.

Can Brian finish what Jack started and take home the award?

The former three-star from Illinois has been following his brother’s footsteps for three years now and this is his season to be a senior captain and lead the offensive line. Although he’s started 25 games in his career, only four have come with him at center.

The respect he’s getting from college football experts is immense seeing as he’s only started a handful of games at the position he’s on the preseason award watch list for. He can play both guard and center, making him as versatile as his older brother and that might lead to him being drafted following the 2017 season.

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If he lives up to expectations during the 2017 season, Allen will be a first-team All-Big Ten selection and one of the nation’s best offensive linemen. Hopefully he can stay healthy, along with the rest of the offensive line.