Michigan State Football: All-time Mark Dantonio era offense

Michigan State football has featured some of the best pro style offenses in the country under Mark Dantonio, while producing some great players.

Michigan State football under Mark Dantonio has run a very successful pro-style attack built on controlling the time of possession while running a balanced attack. Being a tough, disciplined offense that wears out the opponent, and not beating themselves has been the focus.

I’m going to take a stab at choosing my All-time Mark Dantonio era offense. My team will be mixed with great college players who put up huge numbers at Michigan State, and guys who have gone onto success in the NFL.

The quarterback position at Michigan State can rival anyone across the country when it comes to developing successful college quarterbacks that go on to NFL careers. Currently the Spartans have Brian Hoyer, Kirk Cousins and Connor Cook in the NFL that played for Dantonio.

My choice for quarterback is Cook. He re-wrote the record books at Michigan State. He is the all-time leader in passing yards with 9,194 yards, and total offense with 9,403 yards. He also has the record for touchdowns thrown with 71. Cook compiled a 34-5 record as a three-year starter. Cook was able to extend plays with his legs and could make all the throws.

Michigan State has produced a ton of great running backs under Dantonio. Javon Ringer, Edwin Baker, Le’Veon Bell, Jeremy Langford and current running back LJ Scott, to name a few. Dantonio has built his offense from running backs that could get tough yards and control the clock.

My choice for running back is Bell. He was a do-it-all running back for Dantonio and he was a powerful runner who was constantly getting extra yards after first contact. He also had great agility to and patience to make a guy miss. Bell was a reliable pass blocker and had an ability to make plays in the passing game. He finished his career with 3,346 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns and had 78 catches for 531 yards.

Michigan State has also developed the wide receiver position very well. They’ve had multiple Big Ten wide receiver of the year selections under coach Dantonio.

The three wide receivers I’ve chosen are Devin Thomas, BJ Cunningham and Tony Lippett. It’s a unit mixed with guys who put up huge single season or career numbers at Michigan State .

Thomas had one of the most prolific seasons for a wide receiver in Michigan State history. He had 79 catches for 1,260 yards and set an all time record for 2,590 all-purpose yards his junior season. Thomas was a freak athlete who excelled at wide receiver and as a return man.

Cunningham had a prolific career at Michigan State under Dantonio. He finished his career as the all-time leader in receptions with 218, receiving yards with 3,086 and was second in receiving touchdowns with 25. Cunningham was a great rout runner who caught everything that hit his hands.

Lippett was a great wide receiver for Dantonio, he finished his career with 149 catches for 2,247 yards and 15 touchdowns. He won the Big Ten wide receiver of the year his senior season. Lippett was a big-bodied receiver who had good speed and ran great routes. He showed great hands on deep throws or balls thrown in tight windows.

Michigan State has developed the tight end position very good under Dantonio, producing multiple NFL players. I chose Josiah Price for my starter.

Price had a prolific career at Michigan State, he finished his career with 104 catches for 1,238 yards and set the record for receiving touchdowns at Michigan State with 21. He was an athletic tight end who had great hands and was great in the red zone.

Michigan State has done good at developing a very cohesive unit across the offensive line. Offensive line coach Mark Staten has developed a unit that thrives at protecting their quarterback and getting good push for their dominant run game.

My choices across the offensive line are tackles Jack Conklin and Kodi Kieler. The former was a dominant force for the Spartans at left tackle. Kieler was a very athletic right tackle who was a very good pass blocker.

My picks at the guard spots are Brian Allen and Joel Foreman. Allen was one of the most successful linemen in the Dantonio era he blended relentless toughness with high intelligence. Foreman was the first leader of a Mark Dantonio offensive line. His leadership and toughness are traits that paved the way for what is expected from a Spartan offensive linemen.

My choice for center was Jack Allen. He may have been the toughest, nastiest Spartan to play for Dantonio. He was a relentless worker who did a great job reading the defense and making sure his lineman knew where the blitz was coming from.

QB: Connor Cook
RB: Le’Veon Bell
WR: Devin Thomas
WR: BJ Cunningham
WR: Tony Lippett
TE: Josiah Price
LT: Jack Conklin
LG: Brian Allen
OC: Jack Allen
RG: Joel Foreman
RT: Kodi Kieler

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way-too-early complete first round

Agree or disagree with this all-time offense? Let us know your picks in the comment section below.