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Tennessee football: Ranking Vols’ top five juniors of 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee's 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football
Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas (21) exits the field after Tennessee's 41-17 loss to Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football /
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Tennessee offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins (76) blows a kiss to fans after a touchdown by Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins (76) blows a kiss to fans after a touchdown by Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 6'3 325 lbs. Javontez Spraggins. player. 839. Offensive lineman. 4

After emerging as a starter at guard last year, Javontez Spraggins returns as one of Tennessee football’s most reliable blockers.

Somewhat the opposite of Jalin Hyatt, Javontez Spraggins came from out of nowhere to win a starting job with the Vols last year. In spite of all the transfers up front, there were lots of candidates to win the starting guard position opposite Jerome Carvin, the only favorite at the time. Cade Mays moving to right tackle opened things up.

Well, Spraggins jumped right in to fill the void and became one of Tennessee football’s best linemen. While Glen Elarbee had to reshuffle the line consistently given Cooper Mays’ injury issues, often times moving Carvin to the middle and bringing in Ollie Lane, Spraggins was always reliable on the right side of the line.

Not having that problem was huge, and after starting 12 games and playing 861 snaps last year, Spraggins is once again not a question for anybody involved. He has that right guard spot locked up, and the coaches don’t have to worry about anything that might happen there.

That has to be a huge relief for Josh Heupel and Alex Golesh as they run the offense. Spraggins has played consistently for the Vols since his freshman year in 2020, but it was shocking that he emerged as the full-time starter last year. It does make this year easier, though.

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