Huard: Michigan State’s Jack Allen could appeal to the Seahawks
Jan 29, 2016, 3:13 PM | Updated: Oct 28, 2024, 1:09 pm
With offensive line figuring to be an offseason priority for the Seahawks, Brock Huard was on the lookout for potential fits during Senior Bowl practices this week in Mobile, Ala.
Although Huard said the trend continues of college defensive linemen being more advanced than their offensive-line counterparts, he saw Michigan State’s All-American center, Jack Allen, as a possibility for Seattle. Allen started 47 games for the Spartans, including 42 at center, and Huard said he also played some guard on Wednesday.
Related: Huard lists his defensive ‘thumpers’ for the Seahawks to consider
“He is a bad dude,” Huard said, noting how Allen even ran for a 9-yard touchdown during a blowout win last season.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rates Allen as the No. 4 center in this year’s draft. He’s listed at 6 feet 2 and 296 pounds. Huard said he has all the traits that Seahawks offensive-line coach Tom Cable looks for, including a background as a heavyweight wrestling champion.
Huard, who also works as a college football analyst for ESPN, recalled what he was told about Allen while preparing for a broadcast of a Michigan State game.
“I love to ask those offensive coordinators, ‘Who is it, man? Who is your alpha? Who is your facemask bender? Who is the guy that everybody gets in line that changes a culture?'” he said. “…That was Jack Allen at Michigan State. I could see him as a guy that Tom Cable would really love.”