Grayson McKeogh Focused on Adding Good Weight, Building Routine in First Spring
Grayson McKeogh doesn’t exactly blend in.
At 6-foot-7 and north of 300 pounds, the early enrollee already looks the part. But for McKeogh, this spring isn’t about size alone. It’s about stacking the right kind of weight and building the habits to match.
Since arriving on campus, McKeogh has added around 10 pounds and is aiming to settle between 305 and 315.
“I think it’s just staying consistent,” McKeogh said of adding weight. “If you’re able to stay consistent in your eating patterns – really devote to when you’re eating, what you’re eating definitely pays off.”
In addition to consistency, the Pennsylvania native is learning that it’s important to monitor how much he eats, even more than what he puts into his body.
“It’s not about what you eat, it’s when you eat,” explained McKeogh. “If I’m grazing throughout the whole day, a snack here, a snack there, right before bed, I get something on my stomach. That’s what helps me build that consistent weight and that’s definitely been the biggest thing so far.”
The added mass hasn’t cost him the athleticism that made him a coveted prospect. McKeogh has focused on clean calories. Protein, rice, chicken, fruit and he believes he’s maintained the athleticism and mobility that separated him in high school.
“I feel like I’ve been putting a lot of good weight on,” he said. “Good protein; rice, chicken, fruit, all that kind of stuff. I’ve definitely been able to stay nimble, stay athletic. That’s definitely helped.”
While the physical development is obvious, McKeogh’s approach to his first spring ball reflects a mature understanding of where he stands. He’s embracing competition but knows there’s value in listening.
“Definitely just learn whatever I can,” McKeogh stated. “A lot of advice, a lot of wisdom going around. Taking it day by day, doing whatever I can to help the team, whether it’s on the O-line, special teams, even if it’s on the scout team. Whatever I can to help. Just building that foundation for myself and it will help.”
One player he’s leaned on is fellow offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp, who stepped into a starting role at left tackle as a freshman, a position that could one day be McKeogh’s as well.
“One of the things that stuck with me was he said the technique, all that stuff is going to come, you’re going to get coached no matter what you’re doing,” explained McKeogh. “You’re going to get stronger, more athletic.
“He said just play hard and just play reckless. Just play with that mentality that you’re going to dominate. He didn’t use the word dominate, destroy is the word he used. Just destroy the guy in front of you. You do that, you’re going to be successful.”
Beyond the weight room and Gug life, McKeogh has quickly learned that college demands structure. Developing a steady routine has been one of his biggest early adjustments, but it’s not a foreign concept to McKeogh.
“The biggest adjustment has just been developing my routine,” McKeogh stated. “I’m a big routine guy. In high school, I woke up at the same time, ate the same thing for breakfast, school and practice, same thing every day. I like to get in that routine because it keeps my day going in a flow. Coming here just building that routine and being able to stick to that schedule, figure everything out. It really helped.”
What’s that routine look like after two months in South Bend? It starts with eating.
“Get up in the morning, get here and get my breakfast,” McKeogh said. “Have a bagel and peanut butter, some fruit, I’ll drink a Propel. That’s my usual, before-practice breakfast and then after practice, it’s five scrambled eggs, ham, mozzarella cheese and potatoes. That’s every day.
“Go to class, eat lunch between class, after class do some studying before study hall, get to study hall, get back, get a little recovery, finish whatever I had and get to bed and go to the next day.”
The transition has been eased by a familiar presence. McKeogh arrived on campus alongside former high school teammate and good friend, Joey O’Brien, and having that connection has helped keep him grounded.
“It’s been great having a familiar face around,” said McKeogh. “Definitely the thing I’ve been focusing on is anything that helps me stay grounded. Reminding myself where I came from, my foundation, he was a part of it, a big part of it. Just being able to continue the next four years with him, it’s huge.”
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