Michigan State Freshman Starting LG Jack Allen is Moving Quickly from Pup To Spartan DAWG!

Even though points were hard to come by in week one for the Spartans, there were plenty of rushing yards accumulated to put the offensive
line critics to rest. One of the biggest question marks heading into the season on the offensive line was Left Guard Jack Allen. The Hinsdale, Illinois
native is coming off of his redshirt year and proved that a year to get acclimated to college football was well worth the wait. When the Green and White ran out of the tunnel, Allen had to take a second to calm himself down.

“Playing in front of that many people [in Spartans Stadium was a nerve-racking],” said Allen. “Once we started going, I got the butterflies out. I screwed up a few times but you can always improve.”

Before he donned the Green and White, Allen was an All-State Wrestler at Hinsdale Central High School outside of Chicago.  Wrestlers tend to naturally fit in on the defensive line because of the use of hands associated with throws on the mat, but not Allen. The 6’1” offensive
lineman has found his calling, clearing the hole for Le’Veon Bell.

“I felt the o-line helped [Le’Veon] out a bit,” explained Allen. “But he had like 100 yards after contact so he is just a beast.”

Bell had himself a banner evening against Boise State, rushing for 210 yards and two touchdowns.  Though he had his number called 44 times in the game, he knows where the credit is due, in the trenches.

“Jack, and the whole offensive line, those guys played a great game,” said Bell. “To open up holes for me to run for 200 yards and to say they can still play better, that’s what I love about the offensive line, those guys always feel like they can do better, keep progressing and keep getting better.”

Allen isn’t just receiving praises from his running back, but also the guys that are on the line fighting alongside him.  “He is a great athlete,” said Dan France, starting Left Tackle. “He has all the ability in the world and he is going to be a great player for us.”

Though the season is underway and Allen has impressed most people with his play, he understands that every time he steps out on to the
gridiron, he must improve.

“I don’t want to say anything [about having a good first game],” said Allen. “I have to keep pushing through and knocking myself down to build myself back up.”