Tennessee right guard Javontez Spraggins is a man of high energy. He plays with a nasty streak between the lines and celebrates on the field with massive stuffed animals representing the mascot of teams Tennessee defeated.
“I think Spraggs always had energy, juice, effort,” Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said Monday.
Spraggins has been the Vols’ starting right guard for each of the last two seasons and has played at a high level especially in the run game. His toughness and energy has always made him a solid player. However, his attention to detail and offseason work could take his game to another level this season.
The senior was a Preseason Third Team All-SEC selection and it would be no surprise if he plays above that distinction.
“I think if anybody will have the biggest jump in their tape, man, I’m hoping it’s going to be Spraggs because he’s been just unbelievable— spring, summer, fall,” Elarbee said. “From his protection, to his knowledge of the game, leadership, just such a growth out of him. The energy, that guy is nonstop. Everyday, he gets it going— there’s not a more energetic, juicy guy on the field play-in and play-out.”
That energy is particularly important on Tennessee’s offensive line during fall camp for multiple reasons. First, the Vols need Spraggins to take a step forward this season. Darnell Wright played beside Spraggins last season at right tackle and is off to professional football.
Left guard Jerome Carvin is out of eligibility after starting for multiple years. There are question marks on Tennessee’s offensive line creating a need for Spraggins and Cooper Mays to take their games to another level.
And as Spraggins himself admitted Monday, early August fall camp isn’t a fun time to be an offensive lineman. It’s hot, muggy and easy not to be full-go with the season still weeks away.
“Basically, I wake up every day and it’s an urge to be better. It’s not a wake up and I have to go do something,” Spraggins said. “It’s a wake up and I’m finna make something happen or finna be better. Whatever the case may be. I’m never trying to take a step backwards so it’s just a mindset.”
More From RTI: Watch Tennessee Football Practice Highlights From Monday Morning
“I think guys thrive off that because it’s energy but also when he goes on the field he backs it up,” Elarbee said. “It’s physicality. It’s not a fake, ra ra energy. He’s out there competing and he wants the best.
Spraggins has always had the energy he’s shown this summer and early in fall practice. He says it comes from his East St. Louis upbringing and that it’s going to stay with him for the rest of his life. But Spraggins didn’t always excel at channeling that energy in the right ways earlier in his career.
That’s been one of the biggest changes for Spraggins this offseason and one that Elarbee is happily the beneficiary of.
“I think he would try to lead and it was just like, I don’t know, a missile with a fin missing,” Elarbee said while demonstrating a shaky missile with his hand. “He wasn’t always right on the mark but now he has pinpoint accuracy with every word that comes out of his mouth. He’s on it. He knows what the pulse of the situation is. What needs to be fixed. What direction is the offensive line and team we need to go. Young guys, everything, super super proud of him.”
Tennessee’s offensive line needs new leaders and Spraggins is certainly becoming just that. Consistency is the key area of growth for Spraggins between the white lines.
The 6-foot-3, 325-pound guard improved as a pass blocker as a junior but still wasn’t perfect. That’s the missing piece for Spraggins to become a player that can have a long NFL career.
“Really being consistent,” Spraggins said. “That’s what everyone wants to see out of my— consistency. … That was my main goal starting from the spring and going into the fall was just stay consistent and be the best guy you can be everyday. Push all the people around you to be the best they can be.”
