79 days until Texas Football: Connor Stroh already is showcasing his strength
Inside Texas is putting a new twist on long-time photographer Will Gallagher’s time-honored countdown to Texas football kickoff. In addition to Will’s great pictures, the Inside Texas staff will go through every player on the roster by jersey number and offer a season outlook on each, from five-star to walk-on.
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We’ll also look back at other greats to wear that day’s number, with special reverence to some of Texas’ best.
Today is 79 days until kickoff. No. 79 for the Longhorns this season will be worn by Connor Stroh, a freshman offensive lineman.
Connor Stroh season outlook
At one point in his high school career following an injury, Stroh weighed almost 380 pounds. Kyle Flood likes large humans, but the size has to be functional. For spring ball Stroh was listed by the program at 6-foot-7 and 365 pounds, evidence of the strength and conditioning work he had done to drop some of the excess weight he arrived with.
Speaking of work in the weight room, Stroh is already one of the stronger players not just in the O-line room, but in the program. There’s room for growth from a technique perspective, but physical preparedness is not a question for the Frisco Wakeland product.
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Stroh worked at guard during the 2023 spring and that’s where he’ll contend in the future. He may not make major contributions this year, but when his time comes he won’t look out of place in a line of scrimmage league like the SEC so long as his hands and technique progress.
Connor Stroh as a recruit
Stroh was ranked as the No. 546 overall prospect, the No. 54 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 89 player in Texas in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking.
Notable No. 79: Tony Hills
Hills appeared in 31 games during his first three seasons (2004–2006). In 2005, he was part of the Longhorns’ squad that won the BCS national championship game. As a junior in 2006, Hills started at left tackle in all 13 games of the season. He started the Longhorns’ first 11 games of 2007 but suffered a fractured left fibula that cost him the last two games.
Despite the injury Hills earned a spot on the Walter Camp All-American team, was on the Outland Trophy watch list and was a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
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All-Americans to wear No. 79
Tony Hills, OT, 2007
Ben Adams, G, 1998
Dick Harris, T, 1947
Terry Tausch, T, 1981
Joe Cook co-authored this story
