Football games are won and lost in the trenches, and Tennessee’s offensive line has become more than a collection of talented athletes. They have created a bond that transcends the field, becoming brothers through the shared sacrifice and relentless hard work needed to win those battles on Saturdays. It’s evident that this unit’s strength lies not only in their physicality, but in the unbreakable camaraderie that has formed in the weight room, practice field and locker room.

A Brotherhood Unlike Any Other

Center Cooper Mays, a fifth-year veteran and preseason first team All-American, perfectly captures the essence of the brotherhood shared among the offensive line.

“It’s a fantastic brotherhood that brings you closer together than any other experience in life,” Mays said. “You see their true sides come out, especially after fall camp and going through the dog days of summer with them. It just brings you closer together.” 

Mays’ words reflect the gritty reality of being an offensive lineman—a role that demands not only physical endurance but trust and loyalty between teammates.

The offensive line is often considered the heart of the team, but it’s a position that doesn’t always receive glory. These players rarely score touchdowns or make it onto highlight reels, yet they play a critical role in every offensive play. The pressure to perform builds strong relationships, as they know they must rely on one another to ensure the success of the drive.

It’s a fantastic brotherhood that brings you closer together than any other experience in life. You see their true sides come out, especially after fall camp and going through the dog days of summer with them. It just brings you closer together.

Cooper Mays

Diverse Backgrounds, Unified Goal

Gearing up for his 40th start this weekend against Kent State, right guard Javontez Spraggins, another key piece of this experienced line, speaks to the diversity within the group and how it has strengthened them.

“We have a bunch of different guys from a bunch of different places, coming together to complete one goal and one purpose,” the fifth-year senior said. “It’s pretty diverse, but when you bring us all together, that camaraderie unites us for one purpose.”

That purpose is clear: winning football games. Tennessee’s offensive line has been a semifinalist in back-to-back years for the Joe Moore Award – which recognizes the best offensive line unit in college football – speaking volumes about the hard work that the Vols’ offensive line and coaching staff has put in. The group has protected and paved the way for one of the top rushing attacks in college football under head coach Josh Heupel.

With four of last year’s starters returning, including Mays, Spraggins, and tackle John Campbell Jr., the group’s chemistry is unmatched. Campbell, now in his seventh collegiate year and second at Tennessee, could have moved on but chose to return, driven by the relationships he’s built in Knoxville.

“I just wanted to stay with the guys, that O-Line room,” Campbell said. “Those are my boys … I love the room; it’s just great people in there. If you see somebody down, they’re going to pick them up. It’s just a brotherhood as an O-Line room. We’re all servants, that’s what we’re held for. I just love to be with those guys.”

Campbell’s decision underscores the depth of the connection these linemen share. More than just teammates, they are brothers in arms, pushing each other through adversity and celebrating each other’s victories.

A Culture of Support

At the helm of the O-Line room fostering this brotherhood is offensive line coach Glen Elarbee. Elarbee has instilled a culture that’s not just X’s and O’s, focusing on building a family atmosphere within the group.

“We talk about it all the time; there’s stuff outside of football that we talk about. There are things in life,” Elarbee explained. “We were in there after chapel the other day, and I was telling them, ‘I know I don’t say it enough, but I love every single one of you in here.'”

We have a bunch of different guys from a bunch of different places, coming together to complete one goal and one purpose. It’s pretty diverse, but when you bring us all together, that camaraderie unites us for one purpose.

Javontez Spraggins

Elarbee’s approach has clearly resonated with his players, many of whom opted to stay at Tennessee for another year rather than pursue professional opportunities. This decision speaks to the atmosphere he’s helped create.

“I think there’s a family in that room, and they enjoy being in it,” Elarbee said. “It’s a healthy, fun environment. When it’s time to get to work, by gosh, it has to happen, but we enjoy playing the game too.”

Once in the family, you are always in the family — as evidenced by Elarbee and Heupel adding Parker Ball, a former Vol offensive lineman, to the staff as a graduate assistant. Elarbee praised Ball’s football intelligence, calling him “the smartest guy in this building.” Ball’s presence not only reinforces the sense of continuity within the unit, but also provides another layer of support for the linemen, further emphasizing the “family” feel of the group.

Off the Field Bonds

Additionally, the best team building happens off the field away from the bright lights and cameras. Whether they’re in the locker room or outside the facility, the O-Line remains inseparable. The group enjoys a good steak at Dayne Davis’ house, EA College Football 25 and fishing along the Tennessee River, among other activities.

This off-field connection is just as crucial to the offensive line’s success as the on-field performance. Football is a demanding sport, both physically and mentally, and having teammates who double as close friends can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining focus and motivation throughout a grueling season.

“We’re always together,” Spraggins said. “Being around each other and the camaraderie, all that makes a difference when you’re coming together on the field to complete a task.”

The Road Ahead

The 2024 season looks like another promising one for this offensive line. The unit boasts a combined 123 collegiate starts, with Spraggins leading the way with 39. Mays has gone 16 consecutive games without allowing a sack and touts 34 career starts in the middle of the trenches. This sustained success is a display of their skill, discipline, and – perhaps most importantly – their chemistry with one another.

Newcomer Lance Heard, a former five-star recruit, adds even more depth to an already loaded unit. After transferring from LSU, where he earned SEC All-Freshman honors, Heard has quickly integrated himself into the line’s culture. Senior Andrej Karic has earned the starting nod at left guard after returning from injury, bringing with him four years of experience at the Power Five level.

With these pieces in place, the Vols’ offensive line looks poised to continue its dominance. But as the players will continue to say, their success isn’t just about talent or technique.

“Look to your left, look to your right, and say, ‘Let’s go.’ That’s just how it is,” Spraggins said. “The coaches know that once we put our five guys out there, we’re going to get the job done.”

For Tennessee’s offensive line, football is more than a game; it’s a shared journey. Through the grind of practice and the heat of competition, they’ve become a unit defined not only by their impressive stats, but by the strength of their relationships. They play for one another, and that connection could be the key to their success as they set their expectations high. Whether it’s in the trenches or around the grill, the bond these linemen share makes them more than just a group of players—it makes them a family.