WATCH: Arch Manning, Longhorns Early Enrollees Discuss Winter Workouts
Transitions in life are complex. It's a new change, a new chapter and a plethora of new feelings when entering the next stage of life.
Maybe that's how the Texas early enrollees feel one week after their first set of first spring practices. As for offseason conditioning, they should be caught up to Forty Acres' speed.
Highlighted by quarterback sensation Arch Manning, several freshmen met with the Texas in-house media prior to spring break to discuss their transition from senior year to their first college semester. All echoed a similar sentiment; offseason workouts are different in Austin than in high school.
The good news? Longhorns strength and conditioning coach Torre Becton has gotten them up to speed with ease.
“Coach Becton and his staff have been very helpful," Manning said. "I’ve gotten bigger, faster, and stronger. He’s going to push you, and he wants what’s best for you. He asks you the first day you’re here, what do you want to do and what are your goals? He’s going to help you get there. That’s his job. He’s the best.”
Manning, the top-rated prospect on the On3 recruiting rankings, already comes with a pedigree of excellence. The son of Cooper, nephew of Peyton and Eli, and grandson of Archie, expectations are higher for Arch Manning during his time in Austin. Fans pray he'll be the next version of his two-time MVP uncle, leading the Longhorns to multiple College Football Playoff berths and undefeated seasons.
Even with the backing of two Super Bowl uncles showing him the ropes, Manning still has never spent a season in a college weight room. Becton, who's been with Texas since 2021, understands how to better the body without breaking it.
That doesn't mean the freshmen will be picking up the intensity as fast as they could be picking up the playbook.
“It’s definitely way more intense. They definitely critique a lot of things," running back CJ Baxter said. "They want you to pretty much be perfect when it comes to doing things. But they want to teach you. They pride themselves on making you better, so that’s the main thing.”
What does Becton focus on to better a freshmen's results? According to offensive lineman Connor Stroh, it's all about technique. One could easily bench 500 pounds to squat 750, but without the proper form, it could lead to injury or improper muscle development. Stroh said that several strength coaches are assigned to the freshmen to help them during individual workouts.
Once they master the technique and form, the first-year players can join the rest of the roster.
“Everything they do here is meant to help you," said Stroh. "The workouts, it’s intense, intense, intense all the time.”
Five-star linebacker Anthony Hill said that while the workouts are tiring, the results have been promising. After three months of being in the program, Hill believes he's a new player ready to take on hits at the next level.
"I feel like they got me a little stronger, a little more explosive, just helping me get some of the movements right," Hill said. "Working on little explosive movements, working on quickness and strength.”
Other players echoed a similar sentiment.
“I got bigger and stronger,” Baxter said. “A lot of speed work, too. So (Becton) is definitely getting me faster and getting my agility better when it comes to moving side to side. That’ll translate in the game and help me make the people miss.
“Mentally, too, when it comes to telling yourself you can finish it and get through the drill."
Stroh, who could be the long-term left tackle, said that he had lowered his weight since arriving on campus thanks to the term's nutrition staff. That's another key to any offseason workout and an area the Longhorns prided themselves on in the past.
Said Stroh: "They’ve done a great job of shaping my body into what it needs to be.”
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