Tennessee football: Five players to watch for in 2021 spring game

Saturday’s Orange and White game comes with many questions surrounding Tennessee football under first-year head coach Josh Heupel. Most of them won’t be answered on Saturday, but many players could have the chance to reveal lots of things we’ve been wondering about them. It’s a huge opportunity for lots of guys.

As we get set to look at the key players to watch for in Rocky Top’s spring game, we’ll be basing this off what we know we’ll be able to gauge about them and how many questions they have surrounding them. If we know they are going to play but they have many questions, they’re more likely to be on the list.

These Vols have key questions about them that actually can be answered on Saturday even if all of them won’t be. Let’s take a look at who they are. This is our ranking of the five Tennessee football players for everybody to keep an eye on in the Orange and White game.

6’3″ 318 pounds; Hometown: East St. Louis, Ill.

There have been notable offensive linemen standing out throughout spring ball. Cade Mays, Jerome Carvin and Darnell Wright are the returning guys we know we’ll be in the rotation. However, the graduations of Trey Smith and Brandon Kennedy along with the transfers of Wanya Morris and Jahmir Johnson left lots of openings for other guys to emerge this spring.

Of the two who got the most name recognition, Javontez Spraggins and Cooper Mays stood out. However, Mays doesn’t have that many questions surrounding him, as it’s pretty clear he’ll probably line up at center if he ends up in the rotation in the fall.

Spraggins, however, was a surprise standout. Once a three-star recruit out of East Saint Louis High School in Illinois, keep an eye on what he does Saturday. He’ll undoubtedly play, but where he lines up on Tennessee football’s offensive line is a big deal. Offensive line has been a standout topic in a positive way for UT this spring, and Spraggins could help show that Saturday.