Michigan State Football: 25 best players of the Mark Dantonio era
- Second three-time captain in MSU history
- Second-Team All-Big Ten (2011)
- Two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten (2009-10)
- Second in MSU history in wins (27), passing touchdowns (66) and passing yards (9,131)
Kirk Cousins not No. 1 on this list? Alright, pick your jaws up off the floor, this isn’t that big of a surprise. Sure, Cousins was the best leader Mark Dantonio has ever had as a three-time captain — the second in school history — but he falls just short of being dubbed the best player of the past 11 years.
Accuracy was one of Cousins’ pride points as he never completed less than 60 percent of his passes, even reaching 66 percent as a junior. During that season, he had 2,825 passing yards and 20 touchdowns which was good for one of the best seasons of any quarterback in school history.
light. Related Story. 5 reasons LJ Scott could finally break out in 2018
Cousins’ senior year was especially memorable because he became the winningest quarterback in school history and led Dantonio to his first bowl win at Michigan State, beating Georgia. He broke the 3,300-yard mark during that final season with 25 touchdown passes and an impressive 64 percent completion rate.
Michigan State likely wouldn’t be the successful football program it is today without Cousins leading the way as a starter from 2009-11.