At The University of Utah, T Spencer Fano had a specific routine he used to prepare ahead of each game. On Sundays, he would go into the facility and watch two full games of his next matchup. Then throughout the week, he would watch pass cut ups made by an assistant offensive line coach.
As his NFL regular season debut approaches against the Jaguars on Sept. 13, Fano is preparing similarly in the film room while also leaning on the Browns' veterans on the offensive line.
"My plan is really just to be in the shadow of guys like Zion (Johnson) and Tytus (Howard) and see how they watch film and see like what things that they do to prepare," Fano said.
In addition to helping show him how to prepare, T Tytus Howard — who has faced the Jaguars 12 times since 2019 — has given Fano specific details on what to look for when going against Jacksonville's defensive line.
Fano will be matching up against a Jaguars' defensive front that features DE Josh Hines-Allen, who could line up across the rookie left tackle. Last season, Hines-Allen led Jacksonville with eight sacks and was fifth in the NFL with 46 QB pressures, according to Pro Football Reference.
Hines-Allen utilizes the bull rush by using his strength as a part of his pass rush arsenal, which is a style that Fano has become accustomed to while going up against DE Jared Verse in practice. Those matchups against Verse, who frequently uses the bull rush, have helped prepare Fano for Sunday's Week 1 game. But Fano will also be ready for Hines-Allen's quickness off the ball.
"He's a very powerful rusher," Fano said. There's a lot of things that he can do with his length and his power. And not only that, if he gets you to settle down a little bit, he can get you with speed, so he's a very good rusher and I'm excited for the challenge."
While there are similarities in Hines-Allen and Verse's skillsets, the biggest difference in Fano's preparation heading into Week 1 will be adjusting to Jacksonville's defensive scheme.
"The biggest change is not preparing to go against our defense anymore, which is very puncture," Fano said. "They're running through where (the Jaguars) two-gap a little more, so, I feel like that's the biggest difference, just the way that they play defense."
As he continues to focus on the Jaguars, Fano has become more comfortable playing left tackle once again. During the early days of training camp, Fano rotated reps with the first and second team at left tackle. Then, in the week leading up to the first preseason matchup against the Bears, the Browns moved Fano to consistently take reps with the first team at left tackle. He started the first game of the preseason at left tackle and took the reps with the first team against the Bills in the joint practice ahead of Week 2 of the preseason.
"I just think that getting more and more comfortable with the system, what we're asking him to do, is probably the biggest thing," head coach Todd Monken said. "He obviously came a long way from the spring to the start of camp, but probably the last few weeks it's just been the mental side of it."
As his regular season debut approaches, Fano understands that at left tackle he will routinely face opponents' top rushers. With that trend starting against Hines-Allen and the Jaguars in Week 1, Fano is confident and set to be an anchor of the Browns' offensive line.
"I'm ready," Fano said. "I know it's going to be a challenge, but I'm prepared to go out and do my best."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Parker Brailsford (52) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (88) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback D'Angelo Ross (37) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Justin Jefferson (17) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (88) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) and Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Equipment Manager Mher Tcholakian during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (88) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cleats during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A towel during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Logan Fano (99) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A towel during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3), Wide receiver Bryce Oliver (88) and Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Pass Game Coordinator Ephraim Banda during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 2, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
