Name: Andrew Sprague
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 310 lbs.
High school: Kansas City (MO) Rockhurst
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #54
Last year: I ranked Sprague #11 and said he would be the starting right tackle. He started twelve games at right tackle.
TTB Rating: 89
Sprague was one of those somewhat rare true freshman offensive linemen who starts to get some buzz during his freshman year. It only turned into four appearances - including a start in the short-handed bowl game against Alabama - but it was noteworthy. So going into the 2025 season, it seemed pretty clear that he would play a role in the starting five. When he came out of high school, I thought he could end up as a left tackle in college, but so far he has stuck on the right side. He started twelve games last fall and was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.
This past off-season, Sprague jumped into the transfer portal and seemed as good as gone, perhaps to a place like Texas. But with Michigan hiring Kyle Whittingham and bringing in standout offensive line coach Jim Harding - who produced two first round offensive tackles in the NFL draft this spring - Sprague decided to stay. The Wolverines have a very young offense and Sprague is actually the most veteran offensive lineman, having started thirteen games now at the FBS level. He was inconsistent at times last season, but he should be one year better this fall for a team that will be offensive line-dependent with a heavy dose of the running game. If Michigan is able to ground and pound like they want to do, Sprague should get some looks as an All-Big Ten performer.
Prediction: Starting right tackle
so much of our season is riding on gems like Sprague
ReplyDeleteI share Thunder's optimism on Sprague's development as he's just now entering his junior season (post says redshirt soph but redshirts no longer exist). Sprague looks like a difference-maker.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Thunder's assessment that the offense is OL-dependent. Seems it will lean into the run (perhaps even moreso than the Harbaugh/Moore era, despite a big haul of talent at WR.
Could argue that if Sprague hits the lofty expectations (and justifies the high NIL costs to keep) he could easily be a top 10 player value wise. OT is a premium value position, in college and in the NFL. The run game will likely go as far as Sprague can shove the guy in front of him forward.
I do wonder why he is at RT instead of LT. Is it just a matter of familiarity/comfort? Or is there an inherent ceiling to his pass blocking that keeps him off the (traditionally more valuable) blindside?