All-time Michigan State football offensive starters from Mark Dantonio era
Quarterback: Connor Cook
Starting off with the quarterback, there really are only two guys you could pick. Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook. And in all honesty, I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer here, but I’m going with Cook.
One reason I’m selecting Cook is because of all the team accomplishments he was under center for. This includes the 2013 and 2015 Big Ten Championships, the 2014 Rose Bowl, 2015 Cotton Bowl, and the trip to the 2015 College Football Playoffs. Cousins may have been able to accomplish all of that as well if he was the QB during Cook’s tenure instead, but you still have to give the credit to Cook for actually doing it.
Then you have to factor in all the statistical achievements Cook accomplished. Cook is still the winningest quarterback in Michigan State history with a 34-5 record as a starter. He also finished his career as Michigan State’s leader in passing yards (9,194), touchdown passes (71), and all purpose yards (9,403).
One player has won ✌️ @B1Gfootball championship game MVP honors.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 29, 2023
His name is Connor Cook.
Let's celebrate the @MSU_Football all-time leading passer's 3⃣0⃣th with some of his biggest TD passes. pic.twitter.com/dMRO0Lnczu
Finally, Cook was a first team All-Big Ten selection in 2015 and was the Big Ten quarterback of the year that same season. He also won countless other awards and finished ninth in Heisman voting his senior season.
After saying all of that, maybe picking Cook over Cousins isn’t that tough of a choice. Both guys were special in their own way, but I’m taking Cook to lead the Dantonio all time starting 11.