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Michigan State Football: Brian Allen may be ‘centerpiece’ of Rams’ class

By Connor Muldowney

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 10: Brian Allen #65 and Connor Cook #18 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a touchdown by teammate LJ Scott in the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on October 10, 2015 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 31-24. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 10: Brian Allen #65 and Connor Cook #18 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a touchdown by teammate LJ Scott in the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on October 10, 2015 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey.The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 31-24. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Brian Allen was just selected No. 111 by the Los Angeles Rams and the former Michigan State star is already drawing high praise.

You know a program is highly regarded by NFL scouts and members of the media when a fourth-round pick is considered a potential ‘centerpiece’ of an organization’s draft class.

Must Read: MSU Football: Projected post-spring game depth chart

According to Mark Whicker of the Los Angeles Daily News, Brian Allen may be just that.

Although the Rams didn’t make their first selection until the third round, selecting TCU offensive tackle Joe Noteboom, calling a 6-7 round projection a potential ‘centerpiece’ of an NFL team’s draft class is extremely high praise.

Allen was a four-year starter at Michigan State and was always the aggressor on that offensive line. He was the leader of the pack as a junior and senior and followed in his brother’s (Jack Allen) footsteps, becoming a captain figure and one of the nation’s best centers.

The Rams clearly needed help on the offensive line as they spent their first two picks on linemen and then added another offensive tackle in the sixth round. Allen could be the best of the trio.

The starting center for Los Angeles, 32-year-old John Sullivan, is getting up there in age and might need a replacement sooner rather than later. He’s someone Allen can learn a lot from as a 10-year NFL veteran and soak up that starter knowledge like a sponge.

Next: Top 10 NFL Draft picks of Mark Dantonio era

Despite not stepping foot on the field as an NFL center just yet, it’s clear that the Rams, and the Los Angeles media, have high hopes for the Michigan State grad.

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