Michigan State center Jack Allen named to Rimington Trophy watch list - By Mike Griffith

EAST LANSING — Michigan State junior center Jack Allen has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List.

The trophy is awarded each season to the nation's most outstanding center.

Allen, who earned FWAA Freshman All-American honors in 2012 and was named a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the media and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention choice of the coaches last season, is a 6-foot-1, 300-pounder from Hinsdale, Ill.

Allen has played in 25 career games, starting 24 of them including 12 games at center last season.

ESPN.com named Allen to the Big Ten All-Bowl Team for his performance in the Spartans' 24-20 Rose Bowl victory over Stanford on Jan. 1, 2014.

As a redshirt freshman, Allen earned his Freshman All-American honors by starting seven games at center and five games at left guard. He was named Michigan State's Outstanding Underclass Lineman at the team banquet.

Allen came out of high school ranked among the nation's top 10 centers by various recruiting services, as he was a Class 8A Illinois All-State selection.

Allen's younger brother, Brian, signed with Michigan State as part of the Class of 2014 and is expected to have an immediate impact on the Spartans' offensive line rotation.

Jack Allen was Illinois' Class 3A state wrestling champion in the 285-pound weight class.

Courtesy of Mlive