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Earlier this week, Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Connor Williams, an All-American projected as one of the top left tackles if he declares for the 2018 NFL Draft, made an appearance at the Big 12 Media Days representing the program.
And it was obvious from pictures at the event that the Coppell product, who has always been in excellent shape for a lineman, is now stronger and more lean:
Big thanks to @PjLocke4 @Connorwi1liams @NaashonHughes and the punter for representing Texas Football with class. #ThisIsTexas pic.twitter.com/YxjORC82Hj
— Coach Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) July 19, 2017
In an interview session, he revealed the impact strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight has had on his body since arriving with head coach Tom Herman:
#Texas OT Connor Williams said since JAN he's lost 19 lbs of body fat, gained 12 lbs of muscle & upped his bench, squat & cleans by 60 lbs.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) July 18, 2017
Listed at 6’6, Williams now weighs in the range of 310 pounds after he was listed at 320 during the spring.
Additionally, redshirt freshmen defensive tackles Chris Daniels and Tope Imade, the latter a former offensive linemen, have both lost more than 60 pounds combined, while Daniels appears to be notably stronger than he was during the spring.
The three players provide some perspective on how much success Knight has had with his strength and conditioning program heading into the season.
Now the hope is that the increased strength and conditioning level of the three linemen is approximated by the rest of the players in the program. If that’s the case, McKnight’s work could have a big impact on the field this fall.