Penguins’ Sprague emerges in spring
YSU's Thomas Sprague
RELATED NEWS:
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
If you know anything about Thomas Sprague — and, at this point in his career, you have to be a relatively big Youngstown State football fan to know him — there are probably a couple things that stick out.
For one, he has linebacker hair. Specifically, he has hair like Packers linebackers A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews and late Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman (who played linebacker in college and who somehow seems better suited for linebacker).
This is no coincidence.
“I love those linebackers like A.J. Hawk, those types who play really hard,” said Sprague. “And I’ve read all about Pat Tillman and all the things he had to do and it’s kind of my tribute to him.”
The other thing you might know about Sprague is that he was a pretty good special teams player last year. He had three tackles against Southern Illinois, including the hit of the game, and forced a fumble in YSU’s only conference victory.
“Last year was really different, moving away from home and playing with all these guys,” said Sprague, a Gainesville, Ga., native. “You’ve got to prove yourself any way you can and last year it was on special teams, so I tried to make the best of it.”
So there you have it. Sprague in two words. Hits, hair.
What’s interesting is that, for all his violent intent on the field, Sprague considers himself a pretty laid-back guy. Heck, his favorite musician is Bob Marley.
“I like that mellow tone and I kind of take it to life,” he said. “When I come out for football, I have to change a little bit.
“I try to be as intense as I can on the field and, especially on game day, I’m really focused. But other than that, I try to be calm and just have fun with the guys.”
Sprague (6-1, 225) was a tremendous high school linebacker, earning Associated Press Class AAA defensive player of the year honors after leading his high school team (the wonderfully-named Red Elephants) to the state championship game, which it lost 13-12 at the Georgia Dome.
He made his way to YSU when one of his high school coaches contacted one of his old friends, newly-hired Penguins assistant Andre Coleman, and sent along Sprague’s tape. Coleman gave it to YSU defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz, who liked it and offered Sprague a scholarship.
“I came on the last recruiting weekend and ended up signing,” Sprague said.
Sprague is the only Georgia native on the roster and he’s got a very slight southern accent but it’s so slight, he doesn’t even get any grief about it from his teammates.
“It’s not as bad as some people I know,” he said, laughing.
He said the adjustment has been smooth; the biggest thing he misses is the weather.
“I’m not used to the snow,” he said. “We get snow once a year for a couple days, but not for weeks at a time.”
Sprague played eight games last fall and had 11 tackles, including seven solos and he’s looking to make his mark on more than special teams this fall.
He’s one of several linebackers vying for a starting spot this fall and, thanks to injuries, he’s getting plenty of reps.
“I think it’s good for guys to step in and get their chance to shine,” he said.