EAST LANSING, Mich. – Think of Jack Allen in terms of a comet – a 6-foot-2, 296-pound phenomenon, the likes of which may not be seen for another 75 years.
A center by every definition when it comes to height, body type, intelligence and leadership, Allen made the unobvious move to left tackle on Michigan State’s offensive line when Dennis Finley, who was playing against Purdue in place of the injured Jack Conklin, sustained a season-ending broken leg.
In 35 years of coaching, including nine as the Spartan head coach, Mark Dantonio couldn’t recall being on team with the intestinal fortitude, or ingenuity, to fill the spot held by one of the nation’s top left tackles with a center.