Tennessee offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins got old somewhere along the line. Suddenly a senior, the Vol with the babyish face is now older than the quarterback he’ll be protecting for the first time in his college career.
Spraggins has served the same purpose for former UT quarterbacks Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton III, but they were much older, partly because of the pandemic exception year in 2020. Now, Spraggins and the Vols’ offense will be led by a 19-year-old. However, quarterback Nico Iamaleava seems mature beyond his years and has been with the Vols for nearly two years.
“He’s been with us already, so he already knows the program and knows what to expect,” Spraggins said of the Californian who joined the Vols in December 2022. “So just having that trust in the guy and knowing he’s going to get the job done, especially with vets around him, that gives you that extra security. I feel that Nico definitely presents that on. We’ll go right in front of him.”
It’s always a good sign when a team’s offensive line takes pride in protecting its quarterback. It’s also imperative this season as Iamaleava learns the ways of the SEC. Spraggins is a key player on an experienced starting offensive line that lacks depth. That makes Spraggins’ recovery from offseason back surgery something to watch as the season unfolds. Spraggins isn’t concerned.
“It wasn’t a thing of getting back,” said Spraggins, who is expected to start at right guard for the Vols this season. “It’s a thing of being better than what I was. So every day it was a mental game, like being the best at whatever I do…I took everything as a challenge and I’m ready to go present myself this last season.”
One of the Vols’ biggest concerns this season is widely thought to be depth on the offensive line. The Vols don’t have many players with real game-time experience backing up their starters, which could spell doom if Tennessee suffers an injury up front.
Does Spraggins think the Vols are ready with Chattanooga in town on Saturday for the Vols’ season opener?
“100-percent,” he said flatly. “You’ve got veteran guys coming in, new guys coming in to fill spots. It’s a camaraderie in our room. We all are here to help each other. We are here to get better. So every day whether it’s test quizzes or footwork, whatever we’re doing, we’re trying to be the best at it.”
Some of being the best in protection and run-blocking will depend on Iamaleava, who has the responsibility of adjusting and, along with center Cooper Mays, setting protection schemes.
“He’s a kid that comes in and wants to work, wants to be that guy, and that’s what everybody expects from,” Spraggins said of Iamaleava. “So for him to come in and have that motivation, already have that mental standpoint, it just makes us even more connected as a team and ready to go out and fight.”
That’s what a senior – and a leader – are supposed to do.
