After a Fantastic 2024 Season with Arch Manning, the Texas Longhorns, Under the Direction of Steve Sarkisian, Went to the Weight Room
The Texas Longhorns’ 2024 football season was a thrilling ride. With a combination of strong leadership, star performances, and unrelenting determination, the Longhorns made a statement in the world of college football. Under the direction of head coach Steve Sarkisian, the program reached new heights and set its sights on an even brighter future. One of the most significant elements of the team’s rise was the performance of Arch Manning, the highly touted quarterback who lived up to the hype. The Manning name, which has become synonymous with greatness in football, added a new chapter to its legacy in Austin, Texas, in 2024. Manning’s talent and poise on the field were the catalysts for much of the success the team enjoyed that year.
However, success in college football doesn’t simply happen on game day. It takes months of preparation, hard work, and a commitment to becoming better every day. After their exhilarating 2024 season, the Texas Longhorns understood that in order to continue their rise, they had to take a hard look at their physical development. That meant hitting the weight room with intensity, dedication, and a renewed focus. As much as skill and talent are important, strength, conditioning, and mental toughness are the bedrock of sustained success.
The Texas Longhorns’ 2024 Season: A Step Forward for the Program
Before diving into the offseason plans and the team’s emphasis on physical development, it’s essential to look back at the 2024 season and how it set the stage for what was to come. Under Sarkisian’s leadership, the Longhorns had an impressive season, finishing near the top of the Big 12 standings and earning a spot in a prestigious bowl game. The arrival of Arch Manning, who was heralded as one of the most anticipated recruits in college football history, added a new level of excitement and optimism to the program.
Manning’s debut season was nothing short of spectacular. His poise, decision-making, and arm strength were on full display, as he quickly became the face of the program. Manning’s ability to lead the offense and keep calm under pressure was impressive for a freshman quarterback, and he quickly gained the trust of his teammates and coaching staff. With Manning at the helm, Texas had a dynamic offense that could strike at any moment.
The team’s offense was balanced and explosive, featuring a mix of powerful running backs and a talented group of wide receivers who complemented Manning’s skill set. But it wasn’t just about the offense; the Longhorns’ defense was also a force to be reckoned with. The defensive line was stout, and the secondary was aggressive, often forcing turnovers and putting the offense in advantageous situations.
The Longhorns finished the 2024 season with a sense of accomplishment but also with the understanding that the future could be even brighter. They had laid the foundation for sustained success, but there was still work to be done. The team knew that in order to compete for national championships and become perennial playoff contenders, they had to continue to grow both as individuals and as a team.
The Weight Room: Where Championships Are Won
In college football, the weight room is often the unsung hero of a program’s success. While much of the attention goes to the glitzy aspects of the game—such as recruiting, game plans, and on-field performances—the true foundation of a championship-caliber team is built in the weight room. Physical strength, conditioning, and mental fortitude are all honed in the gym, and they can be the difference between a team that peaks during the regular season and one that peaks when it matters most: in the postseason.
For the Texas Longhorns, the decision to turn their attention to the weight room after the 2024 season was a no-brainer. They had seen the physical toll that a grueling season can take on players, and they knew that in order to sustain their level of play, they needed to take their strength and conditioning to the next level. This process started with the players themselves, but it was also about the leadership provided by the coaching staff.
Steve Sarkisian, a coach known for his attention to detail and commitment to player development, played a critical role in shaping the team’s offseason plans. After leading Texas to a successful 2024 season, Sarkisian understood that there could be no complacency. He knew that in order to elevate the Longhorns to the level of elite programs, they had to focus on every aspect of the game, including the physicality and strength required to dominate at the highest level.
The Focus on Physical Development
The Longhorns’ approach to the weight room was multifaceted. While strength training is obviously an essential component, the focus was not just on raw power but on functional strength, endurance, and injury prevention. The offseason program was designed to address the specific needs of each player and position group, ensuring that they were in optimal shape when the 2025 season arrived.
For the offensive and defensive lines, the emphasis was on power, explosiveness, and agility. These players needed to develop the ability to move quickly and with strength, often in high-contact situations. Powerlifting and Olympic-style lifts were incorporated into their routines, with a focus on squats, deadlifts, and clean-and-jerk variations. These exercises helped improve overall strength and explosiveness, which would be crucial for winning the battle in the trenches.
The wide receivers and running backs also spent considerable time in the weight room, working on building strength, speed, and agility. The focus for these players was on improving their ability to change direction quickly, break tackles, and maintain balance during contact. Plyometric exercises, as well as exercises that focused on core strength, were incorporated into their routines to ensure they had the physical tools necessary to excel at their positions.
For Arch Manning and the quarterbacks, the emphasis was on arm strength, accuracy, and maintaining overall fitness. While Manning’s natural talent was already apparent, improving his physical condition was key to ensuring his continued success. Quarterbacks are required to have great endurance, as they must be able to make pinpoint throws late in games when fatigue sets in. Manning’s offseason workouts focused on core strength, shoulder stability, and flexibility, allowing him to improve his throwing mechanics and reduce the risk of injury.
In addition to strength training, the Longhorns’ conditioning program was designed to ensure that players would be in peak cardiovascular shape. Football is a grueling sport, and players need to be able to perform at a high level for four quarters. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprints were used to push players to their limits, simulating the demands of a game. These workouts helped improve endurance and stamina, ensuring that players would not tire when it mattered most.
Mental Toughness and Leadership in the Weight Room
Physical strength alone is not enough to make a team successful. Mental toughness is equally important. The weight room is a place where players push themselves to their limits, and it’s also where they develop the resilience to overcome challenges on the field. Through intense training and challenging workouts, the Longhorns developed a mindset that would help them face adversity with confidence.
Arch Manning, as the leader of the team, understood the importance of mental toughness. Throughout the offseason, he worked to develop a sense of leadership that extended beyond his on-field performances. Manning set the tone in the weight room, pushing himself and his teammates to give their best effort every day. His commitment to getting better and his willingness to embrace challenges resonated with the entire team, motivating others to match his level of intensity.
Sarkisian also played a critical role in fostering mental toughness. He understood that building confidence was just as important as building strength. Sarkisian’s leadership philosophy was centered around creating a competitive, driven culture where players weren’t just training to be stronger—they were training to be mentally tougher, more disciplined, and more resilient in every aspect of the game.
The Road to 2025: What’s Next for Texas?
The 2024 season was just the beginning for the Texas Longhorns. With a talented group of players, including Arch Manning, returning for the 2025 season, the team was poised to take the next step toward becoming a true powerhouse in college football. The emphasis on the weight room and physical development would only be one part of the equation; mental preparation, tactical improvement, and continued leadership from Coach Sarkisian would be just as crucial in the team’s pursuit of greatness.
The Longhorns’ commitment to hard work and self-improvement in the offseason set the stage for what could be a historic 2025 campaign. As the team continued to build on its success from the previous year, one thing was clear: the Texas Longhorns were on the rise, and they were ready to compete for championships. The weight room, once again, would be where the foundation for their next great season would be forged.
For Steve Sarkisian, Arch Manning, and the entire Texas Longhorns program, the journey was far from over. The future was bright, and with every rep in the weight room, the Longhorns were preparing to make their mark on the college football world for years to come.