CJ Vogel
Updates from Summer Conditioning
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– The team is working out four days a week with Wednesdays proving to be a lighter day off of the field from the traditional conditioning days. Majority of days are held inside of DKR for the team to work conditioning with Torre Becton and his staff. There remain days over at Denius practice fields for sand work in the sand and some light hill work.
– Leadership remains strong from the Texas quarterback, Arch Manning. You will hear the cliche of Arch adopting the 2025 roster as his team but that is accurate in terms of the leadership approach being taken.
– Running back CJ Baxter is working out, but remains a little ways away from 100%. For Baxter, it is all about going from step to step in his recovery from a blown out knee. From what I gather, there is still a ways to go for Baxter in terms of returning to full trust with cuts and full start-and-go, as expected, but the steps made to getting on the field have been significant.
James Simon continues to be a name mentioned from the freshman ranks.
– There is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the tight end room as well. I have heard the addition of Jack Endries has been smooth, plus Jordan Washington remains a guy who has found every opportunity to put in extra work.
– A few guys on the offensive line standing out from a leadership perspective – Trevor Goosby and Cole Hutson.
Another nugget on the offensive line is freshman Nick Brooks has done a fine job of refining his body since arriving in Austin. He is on a similar path physically as Cam Williams when he arrived around 360 pounds. Brooks is in the mid 340s now.
– On the defensive side of the ball, I mentioned Jonah Williams earlier in the week as someone referred to as a "freak" by someone I spoke with. That probably isn't a surprise. For Jonah, the key is to add as much of that armor as you can in the time building up to the kickoff in Columbus. The transition from a baseball body to a football body is the priority.
– I remain bullish on Wardell Mack and his contributions this season.
– The regular voices are heard on the defensive side of the ball – Michael Taaffe, Anthony Hill Jr, and Colin Simmons. I can also add Trey Moore is move vocal in year two as a Longhorn as well.
– Safety Derek Williams Jr. is back working fully with the team in offseason workouts. This is just seven months following his torn ACL that occurred against Oklahoma.