Brian Allen has followed in his brother Jack’s footsteps for most of his life. Today, another step was taken as the middle Allen brother was named to the Rimington Trophy Spring Watch list. The award goes annually to the nation’s “most outstanding” center.
Brian Allen Named to @rimingtontrophy Spring Watch List (nation's most outstanding center) - https://t.co/cDTpJADO96 pic.twitter.com/a3awylcVOA
— Spartan Football (@MSU_Football) May 22, 2017
Per the MSU Press Release...
A mainstay on the offensive line his first three seasons, Allen was one of only three players on the team and the only offensive lineman to start every game in 2016. He led the team with twice as many knockdowns as any other lineman and also ranked first in dominators.
Allen earned Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades twice last season (vs. Furman and Rutgers). In the win at No. 18 Notre Dame, Allen helped the Spartans rack up a season-high 501 yards of total offense, including 260 rushing yards, as he produced a team-best 12.5 knockdowns.
Down the stretch, Allen was instrumental in providing consistency to an injury-riddled offensive line that started seven different combinations. The Spartans rushed for more than 200 yards five times in 2016, including four of the last six games (270 vs. Maryland, 217 vs. Michigan, 277 vs. Rutgers, 207 vs. Ohio State).
The Hinsdale, Illinois, native, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media for the second straight year in 2016, started three positions on the offensive line as a junior. He started the first three games at left guard, then shifted to center for two games before moving to right guard for five games. The versatile lineman started at left guard the final two contests.
As a sophomore in 2015 on Michigan State’s Big Ten Championship team that played in the College Football Playoff, Allen appeared in all 14 games, including 12 starts (10 at left guard; two at center)
Brian will be a, no pun intended, pivotal part of what should be a much improved Michigan State offensive line this fall. His leadership and experience will be a major boost to a relatively young group.
Congrats, Brian!