Legendary Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio was announced as a member of the 2025 Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame class. Which got me thinking back on all of the historic players who suited up for Coach D during his very successful tenure.
Dantonio's name is forever enshrined in Spartan Stadium, and though many of his great players likely won't receive that same honor, there are plenty who helped him get there. Which is exactly one of his takeaways when his name was unveiled alongside other former Spartans who are in the College Football Hall of Fame last fall.
So, I put my mind to work to determine the All-Mark Dantonio era Michigan State football team. This is no slight against any player that ever played for him or Michigan State. Seeing everyone who played for Dantonio and helped him put the Spartans in the spotlight for over a decade was a privilege.
Without further delay, here's who made the all-offensive team from the Mark Dantonio era.
QB: Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook
You couldn't go wrong with either quarterback -- both were proven winners. Kirk Cousins, whose impact is still as important as his famous "You Like That" quote from several years ago in the NFL, helped lead the Spartans to a Big Ten title in 2010. He never lost to Michigan, going 4-0 between 2008-2011. Not to mention the fact that he helped manufacture the Spartans' first postseason win for Coach D in the 2012 Outback Bowl.
Connor Cook was highly successful as well, which is why the QB is a 1A and 1B situation. He helped the Spartans win two Big Ten titles and led MSU to a win in the 100th Rose Bowl over Stanford. He also added a Cotton Bowl victory and led the Spartans to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2015.
Honorable Mention: Brian Lewerke, Brian Hoyer