Michigan State University Athletics
2015 Captains Embrace Leadership Roles
8/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Grinczel, MSUSpartans.com Online Columnist | @GrinzOnGreen
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- When it comes to the selection of Michigan State football captains, it isn't a coronation.
It's an often-times unpredictable passing of the torch that began with head coach Mark Dantonio's first captains in 2007: running back Jehuu Caulcrick, offensive tackle Pete Clifford, defensive back Travis Key and linebacker Kaleb Thornhill.
After Jack Allen, Shilique Calhoun and Darien Harris were introduced as captains for 2015 on Thursday, the three fifth-year seniors cited former Spartan players and even current teammates as the examples they'll be drawing upon in their new roles.
Allen, the All-America center known for his self-deprecating humor, the willingness to speak his mind and the ability to back it up, named three former offensive linemates -- Travis Jackson, who was a surprise pick as co-captain last season, Connor Kruse who worked his way up from walk-on status into a starting job in 2014 and 2011 All-Big Ten guard and co-captain Joel Foreman -- as his inspiration.
"Connor Kruse led the O-line great last year and he's my roommate, actually, now," Allen said. "I'll give people a kick in the butt when they need it and kind of keep everybody focused and going the right way because sometimes we shy away from the line.
"But I'll keep us there and so will (Calhoun and Harris)."
Allen readily accepts the responsibility that comes with the title conferred upon him, Calhoun and Harris by a player-only vote, but doesn't expect he'll change with the new role.
"I wouldn't say it's really anything different than what I've been doing this whole camp," said Allen. "Just because three guys are voted captain doesn't mean anything. We got picked for who we are; not for what we're going to act like.
"What you see is what you get."
Allen added that leadership will be shared with the 12-senior Eagle Council, which includes quarterback Connor Cook.
"The seniors still have to continue to lead and I think that's what we're going to do. I think Connor and myself are going to lead this offense in the right direction and put some points on the board," Allen said.
The Spartans set a school scoring record with 43 points per game last season and duplicating that feat, or surpassing it, could play a key role in reaching stated goals of competing for Big Ten and National Championships.
Continuing to play stout defense, as Michigan State has done with four consecutive Top-10 performances, will also be vital. The effusive Calhoun was all but expected to be re-elected to the captaincy he earned as a junior defensive end.
"It is definitely a special honor to be able to have this opportunity once again," Calhoun said. "But it's going to be a special year regardless of who's named captain. It's going to be a special year and I'm going to live in these moments and embrace all of them."
The good-natured Calhoun, recognized for a smile that lights up any room, promised he is "very hard" on his teammates, but only in a way that builds them up.
"I think (leadership) is just being able to influence guys to stick with something and be dedicated, and motivating people to strive for excellence, and be better than just average and wanting to be more than just a good football player," he said. "You want to be that guy that not only was a great football player but could help his team become great.
"I'm sort of like Coach Shilique because I've been through the ropes, I've seen a lot of things and now it's like, `Hey, I've done that before; stop doing that, let's do this and work on this move because I see your body type.' Now, I'm able to catch things because of what this program has done for me and how they've allowed me to have a keen eye for players and understand certain talents and abilities they won't notice until they're in their fourth or fifth year."
Calhoun also paid homage to those who filled the captain's shoes before he did.
"Guys like Max Bullough, Kirk Cousins, Kurtis Drummond, Darqueze Dennard -- those are guys who just constantly went out and worked hard," Calhoun said. "Rightfully so, they got what they deserved and are now able to play on Sunday.
"Even guys like Joel Foreman. It's not always about the NFL -- it's about going on to live a healthy and prosperous life. There are multiple people who I use as motivation to keep striving for excellence."
Dantonio pointed out that Harris, who has always projected an aura of seriousness, is someone every player can relate to because he came up through ranks from scout-team player to special teams performer to backup in 2013 and 11-game starter at linebacker last season.
Harris demonstrated his leadership skills even before he earned the captain's title.
"I just kind of daily or weekly would text the guys to tell them what they need to work on, and getting them in on film sessions," he said. "And then maybe having the guys over for pizza and watching a movie or something, talking to a lot of guys that I haven't talked to (much) and building friendships with guys on the team I haven't necessarily had a tremendous relationship with in the past."
Harris echoed the sentiments expressed by Allen and Calhoun on how he plans to perform his duties as captain.
"It's a huge honor and something I'm going to be very proud of and carry for the rest of my life," Harris said. "It's something I felt I had the opportunity and ability to do, but at the end of the day I know I won't have to change anything about myself, nor does Shilique or Jack.
"I feel we got elected because of who we are and we can continue to be that way."
Harris didn't have to look far for a role model that helped him advance to this point in his career.
"Shilique was for me," Harris said. "He's a guy who came in with my class and I could tell was a leader from day one. I've really enjoyed watching him lead from the moment he got here and watching guys gravitate toward him because of his personality, his smile, growing out his hair -- everything he does.
"Seeing him as a captain last year, someone from my class, really, really motivated me. He's been a huge example for me. He just loves life and we feed off that as a team."
Dantonio often credits chemistry as the key ingredient to the Spartans' success. While Allen, Calhoun and Harris say the other 17 seniors, including Cook and those on the Eagle Council, have to help develop and maintain it, along with the underclassmen, they are the appointed caretakers of team chemistry.
"We'll alternate one of those other nine (from the Eagle Council) in there every single week, so it's a little bit more than three guys leading," Dantonio said. "I think (the players) did a nice job of picking the three. They've played a lot of football here and have been involved in the program for five years.
"On the first vote, it was pretty clear these were the three that they wanted. But, it's about all 12 of these guys, too. Everybody has certain leadership qualities and they've done a great job with it. The thing about this football team is everybody has to have value in the locker room and on the field. If they can't do that, why are they here? All of our guys take that to heart, I think."
The players have talked about how the leadership and chemistry is the best it's been since they arrived, but Dantonio will reserve judgment on that area until after the final game.
"How they lead will define themselves over the course of the season," he said. "But, I've been very impressed with how they've handled themselves in camp and some of things they've talked about when they've had their opportunity to address our entire football team because when you stand up in front of your peers and talk, there's power in that.
"You've either got to move up the ladder or move down sometimes. All of our guys have moved up the ladder and it's impressive to listen to their message to our football team. I don't rank them in terms of this class or that class. We're going to have adverse situations, we're going to have issues; we've got to be able to handle our issues on the field or off the field and that's leadership."
