Michigan State Football: 25 best players of the Mark Dantonio era

8 of 25

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 31: Jack Allen #66 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up prior to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

First-Team All-American (2015)
Two-time first-team All-Big Ten (2014-15)
Two-time Rimington Trophy finalist

The older brother of the aforementioned Brian Allen, Jack Allen was one of the best linemen in Michigan State history and arguably the best center the program ever saw.

Allen was extremely close to winning the Rimington Trophy as a senior, finishing second in the race for the award. That being said, he was a First-Team All-American that year. He was a steady blocker for the Spartans and was rarely beaten by defenders. His football IQ was through the roof and was the perfect role model for his younger brother, making him, too, a top Big Ten lineman.

You can’t talk about all-time great leaders and the best linemen in the Mark Dantonio era without mentioning Allen.

Linemen don’t get much love in the big scheme of things, especially centers, but Allen was the class of the Big Ten and a feared opponent. He acted as a coach on the field and was a big reason for the Spartans’ monumental success from 2011-15.

Can we just clone Jack Allen?

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