Recruiters don’t flock in droves to Illinois for top college football prospects. Maybe Javontez Spraggins can change all that.
Illinois has just six players rated as four-star prospects and no five-star prospects within its borders for the 2023 class. The remaining, notable prospects are three-star recruits, like Spraggins, who signed with the Vols in 2020. A coaching change later and he’s one of Tennessee’s best offensive linemen.
Spraggins has become a rock at right guard for the Vols. He started 12 games at that position last season and played every snap for the Vols against Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Spraggins hinted at what most people know, that Tennessee struggled at times against Pitt, giving up three sacks. Certainly, the Panthers have a formidable defensive front. However, no one on Tennessee’s offensive line is happy with how things played out at times in the Pitt game, especially early.
“We played how we played, and it is time to fix it and not make the same mistakes that we made previously,” Spraggins said. “So, we just fix the mistakes and play even harder.”
The Vols also struggled to run the ball, which was a bit surprising. Tennessee only averaged 2.6-yards per carry against the Panthers. However, the bigger issue is allowing Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker to be harassed. Tennessee’s hopes and dreams for 2022 rely on Hooker, whose footwork was surely compromised by the onslaught of pass rushers. Spraggins wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
“Just knowing that guy in practice,” Spraggins said of Hooker, “no matter what, he is going to keep a steady hand and always move forward,” Spraggins said. “The last few plays, it does not matter, just move forward every play.
“Ever since spring and fall camp, we have just trusted him to do that, and it has not been a problem. He knows to take steps forward and not stay in the same place.”
Actually, it would be good if Hooker does stay in the same place during an actual game, settled safely in the pocket.
