NFL Draft Watch (Pre-NFL Scouting Combine): Indiana Hoosiers Offensive Tackle Jason Spriggs

-by Daniel Mogollon, Staff Writer; Image: Indiana Hoosiers offensive tackle Jason Spriggs. (Image Source: IUHoosiers.com)

Indiana offensive tackle Jason Spriggs is a 21-year old senior who is among the top O-line prospects in the upcoming draft class. He is one of four Indiana Hoosiers invited to the NFL Scouting Combine held this week in Indianapolis.  

Measurables:

Height: 6’5”; Weight: 301 pounds; Arm Length: 34 1/8”; Hands: 9 ½” 
The Indiana product has the type of length teams like and that includes long arms that will allow him to keep defenders away from his body in the trenches, however he is a bit light in the pants and his hands are small for an offensive tackle. 

Where He Excels:

His best trait is his athleticism which is why Spriggs is better in pass protection than he is a run blocker. Both fast and quick, the Hoosier has the lateral quickness to mirror pass rushers, as well as the agility to get to the next level in the run game. During his senior season, Spriggs allowed a mere two sacks and 13 pressures. He also plays with enough of a mean streak that he will burry an opponent when he can. Throughout his four-year college career Spriggs has proven to be durable, making 47 starts at left tackle. 

Where He Struggles:

Power. Spriggs doesn’t play with a lot of power and could be vulnerable to stronger D-linemen who prefer to bull rush their way into the offensive backfield. Relying less on his athletic ability and more on technique would help in those situations. In order to fulfill his potential at the next level, Spriggs will need to get stronger and do a better job of maintaining blocks once he gets his hands on defenders. 

Draft Pundits:

ESPN has Spriggs ranked seventh among offensive tackles and 73rd overall, CBSSports.com’s NFL Draft Scout has him sixth at his position and 42nd overall, while NFL.com rates the IU product as the seventh tackle, but only gives him a grade equivalent to that of a “backup or eventual starter.”

Combine Preview:

A former tight end, Spriggs is among the most athletic offensive tackle prospects invited to Indianapolis so he should shine at the NFL Scouting Combine. If you believe coach Kevin Wilson’s tweet about Spriggs last spring (4.82 40, 37.5” VJ, 33 BP reps), then the Big Ten lineman will surely see his draft stock rise in Indianapolis. The offensive linemen will weigh in on Wednesday, get under the bar for the bench press on Thursday and will perform their on-field workouts on Friday. 
Current Projection: While Spriggs could sneak into the first round, he’s more likely to hear his name called in the early-to-mid second-round range. 

Synopsis:

A highly-productive collegian (Outland Trophy Finalist), Spriggs more than held his own against some of the best pass rushers the Big Ten had to offer, including some of the top names at NFL Scouting Combine. Right now, because of his skill set, Spriggs appears to be an ideal fit for a pass-oriented offense that leans towards zone-blocking schemes in the run game. We shouldn’t underestimate his ceiling as he’s gotten bigger and stronger during his time in Bloomington and he may continue to do so in the NFL. With the right coaching we could be talking about a high-level starter/borderline Pro Bowler. I believe he has the talent to remain a left tackle playing on Sundays. 
Daniel Mogollon is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America. He is also a voter for the Thorpe and the Rotary Lombardi Award, as well as the Latino Sports MVP Awards. You can reach him via email: danmogollon@gmail.com.