Michigan State Football: Brian Allen named to 2017 Outland Trophy watch list

Michigan State football’s Brian Allen was named to the 2017 Outland Trophy watch list on Thursday afternoon.

Brian Allen comes from a family of athletes. When you think of the term “athlete” you usually picture a 6-foot-5 skill position player, but the Michigan State football player exemplifies a different version of the word. He and his two brothers are impressive offensive linemen.

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Although he’s not considered “athletic” by most standards, he is one of the nation’s top interior offensive linemen, following the footsteps of older brother, Jack Allen. Younger brother Matt Allen is next in line, but he will have to wait until Brian graduates in 2017 to take over the center position.

On Thursday, the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s top interior lineman, released its annual preseason watch list and Allen was one of dozens of interior linemen to make the cut.

This comes as no surprise seeing as Allen is the leader of the young offensive line and he will be looked to as a captain figure in 2017. Three years ago, he was named a Freshman All-American and he’s been in the All-Big Ten conversation ever since.

Now that he’s going to be the full-time center, he can aim to win an award that his brother, Jack, nearly took home in 2015 — the Rimington Trophy for the nation’s top center. He was also named to that watch list.

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Don’t sleep on Allen in 2017 as he might just become the next great Michigan State offensive lineman and an improved unit will take a ton of pressure off his shoulders.