I think that, given the amount of attention this issue has gotten here recently, some here might take interest in my observations from the past ~5 months. I have been watching, first hand, one of our incoming freshmen as he works his way through the off season S&C manual.

I am friends with the track coach/football strength coach (who is incredibly knowledgeable in his own right) at South Aiken high school and help him out with the kids occasionally because of my experience in the area. Incoming DT Josh Brown began Batson's program several months ago and has followed the manual to the letter. The results have been interesting. For those who aren't familiar, Josh signed as a 6'4" 290 lb DT who was a rough 2 star recruit, but had what the coaches believed to be the right intangibles for a successful developmental prospect. Now, after several months months of intense and consistent effort and to the letter application of the lifting, speed, and agility, and flexibility programs in the manual, Josh is weighing in at a consistent 300-303 lbs. In the past 3 weeks, I have personally witnessed him perform a clean (bar paused at the chest, butt never leaving the bench) 365 lb bench press and a 585 lb deadlift. Most impressively, I've seen him run a sub 13 second 100m and a 4.76 40 yard, The 40 time is especially impressive, as I know his speed was in the low 5 second range before the beginning of his senior football season, and that was at a bodyweight that was roughly 15 lbs lighter than current.

I believe that the difference maker is this: Josh has been relentless in his training. He's been focused, hasn't missed a workout, and has put 100% effort into every action he takes. With all of the focus on the specifics of programming, this lift vs. that lift, etc., I think we tend to overlook the level of work ethic that is being built into these kids through the strength and conditioning program. Human physiology is remarkably consistent, and I can't help but think that Batson's methodology can work extremely well, but perhaps are problem is that the athletes aren't making it work. That falls onto team culture and ultimately on the coaches. Hopefully, the influx of new coordinators is driving a change in this area and getting away from the groupthink that seemed to plague the previous administration as well as this one. I have seem some mentions of practicing the "ones vs. the ones" in full pads/full contact lately, which I understand is a departure from business as usual.

Just my $.02.