Michigan State Spartans Football Recruiting: Matt Allen

[Editorial note: sorry for the lateness here. Got caught up with basketball. - JT]

Center Matt Allen

From

Hinsdale, Illinois New Jersey (Hinsdale Central)

Height/Weight

Between 6'2'' and 6'3'' between 260 and 265 pounds.

Ratings

Three-Star generally, unranked by ESPN

Notable Offers

None other than MSU. Interest from Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Purdue

Thoughts on Offer List

This is a kid where I don't think the offer list matters much. MSU knows this kid better than anyone, and it was probably a good bet that he was coming to East Lansing, anyways. If I was another program I wouldn't have been recruiting Matt incredibly hard even if I wanted him.

Thoughts on Film

Matt does a good job moving onto linebackers in the run game. It appears that his high school operated almost exclusively out of the shotgun, which might take some adjustment for him at MSU. He's not incredibly physically imposing, but he is effective nonetheless. The size question isn't a huge one to me; Jack Allen was exactly the same size coming out of high school in the class of 2011. But Matt is unlikely to play right away like Brian did this past year.

Matt also plays at guard at times, and that's consistent with the versatility needed out of MSU interior lineman.

Outlook on the Rest of the Class

This is just the second (third?) commit for 2016 for MSU, depending on how you feel about Khalid Kareem. Anyways, it's always great to continue family lineage a la the Bulloughs. Jack Allen had a similar profile in 2011 and was an All-American and Rimington Finalist as a Junior; Brian played significant time as a true freshman last year. Give me all of the Allens, please. This pipeline is especially helpful considering the offensive line issues that MSU has had at times under Dantonio.

MSU added 5 offensive lineman in the 2014 class but just three in the 2015 class. Only Travis Jackson and Connor Kruse depart from last year's depth chat. Only Donovan Clark and Jack Allen will be seniors this upcoming year, though I wouldn't be surprised by Jack Conklin entering the draft early. So, not a ton of attrition along the offensive line. This may not need to be a major recruiting class for offensive line; another three-person class would likely do it.

Congrats Matt! Welcome to the Green & White