Michigan State LB Denicos Allen is looking for breakout sophomore season

    Denicos Allen, who primarily played on special teams as a red-shirt freshman in 2010, is looking to make a big impact at the star linebacker

 

 

 

 

Denicos Allen, who primarily played on special teams as a red-shirt freshman in 2010, is looking to make a big impact at the star linebacker position on Michigan State’s defense.

 

Allen is most renowned in Spartan circles for the play he made at Purdue last season, blocking a punt in the opponent’s territory which eventually turned into MSU’s game-winning touchdown. Now, he will use that same type of tenacity as a projected starter at linebacker.

 

“I play every play like it’s the last play, you never know what could happen at the end of that play,” Allen said, talking about how he approaches every single down in a practice or game. “You’ve got to give it all every play. There’s definitely somebody after my spot every day. Another freshman could come in and take my spot, you never know. So, you’ve gotta make your mark.”

 

Allen is being projected to start alongside Max Bullough (mike linebacker) and Chris Norman (sam linebacker). He said that the group is doing a good job so far of understanding how the others play.

 

“We talk on every play,” Allen said. “With Norman, he’s in and out for a little bit. But me and Bullough, we get everything together, make sure we know what each other is doing, make sure we are on the same page. It’s pretty good communication.”

 

For Allen, a player who has good size and speed, football is all about going out on the field and banging heads. He enjoys putting on the pads and getting a few good shots in on unsuspecting players, saying football is all about getting that adrenaline rush to go out and make somebody else feel it.

 

The learning curve for him is not what he is capable of physically delivering, but whether he catches on to the schemes and patterns of opposing offenses. Only a sophomore, he is trying to let the game slow down and be more comfortable before each snap.

 

“My main focus right now is slowing the game down in my head so I can react faster, make a play faster,” he said. “Instead of thinking too much, just (to) slow the game down and be able to make a play.

 

“I think I’m pretty good at recognizing the play, adjusting to the blocking scheme. What I need to get better at is getting over blocks, defeating blocks. I really need to work on that.”

 

But besides all the X’s and O’s on the gridiron, Allen is driven by his new fandom. As a player who will see plenty of playing time in 2011, he has garnered a following among students and youths. It is a torch he is happy to behold, especially after his upbringing.

 

“I was raised by some good people,” he said. “My mom, she taught me a lot on how to treat people. I wouldn’t want to be treated miserably, so I treat everybody like I would love to be treated.

 

“It’s kind of awesome (being a role model). It gives me a responsibility to show (the kids) the right things to do, to be a better leader.”