Jacob Gall: Calorie in-take, benchpress max, helmetless plays
Senior offensive lineman Jacob Gall answers a variety of questions submitted from Athlete+ members.
Athlete+: What are the differences in strength and conditioning at Baylor versus what you experienced at Buffalo?
Jacob Gall: I was lucky enough to have two great strength staffs that now both work in the Power 5 but they could never replicate having to work out in the Texas heat.
Athlete+: How many calories a day?
Jacob Gall: I like to aim for around 3,500 every day.
Athlete+: What’s your bench press max?
Jacob Gall: 420 is my personal best which I hit right before spring ball this year.
Athlete+: Have you benefited from Eric Mateos as your line coach? Is he preparing you for the League?
Jacob Gall: Coach Mateos is the best in the business and has helped me so much in my growth as a player. He’s coached so many great NFL centers in his career and is definitely getting me ready for the league.
Athlete+: What’s worse: the Central Texas summers or the upstate New York winters?
Jacob Gall: Buffalo winters are on another level so I would gladly take summer here over winter there.
Athlete+: Hardest defensive scheme to prep for last season?
Jacob Gall: Iowa State had the hardest scheme to me last year, but honestly, I go against the best scheme every day in practice which always keeps me prepared.
Athlete+: What is your favorite part about playing OL? What’s your least favorite?
Jacob Gall: My favorite part is protecting my teammates who trust me to do so and my least favorite part is sweating no matter the temperature or activity.
Athlete+: Craziest pre snap thing you’ve heard from the defense. Or craziest thing you or a fellow o-lineman said pre snap?
Jacob Gall: Craziest thing I heard last year was while were in the huddle a defensive lineman was yelling “GERRY, GERRY! THEY SPELLED YOUR NAME WRONG, GERRY!” I think everybody cracked a smile in the huddle.
Athlete+: What would you like to be doing after football is over for you?
Jacob Gall: I’d love to work in a behind scenes role within athletics whether that is college or professional but I want to be involved in sports for as long as I can.
Athlete+: What has the transition been like from Buffalo to Waco? What was the weirdest thing you’ve seen that we do?
Jacob Gall: Transition has been pretty easy for me. I love football, Texas loves football, match made in heaven. Not really a weird thing but it’s different to me to see the state flag everywhere I go.
Athlete+: Do you now own cowboy boots and if not, why not?
Jacob Gall: I do not own a pair currently but I’m browsing right now and trying to get some local help before I decide!
Athlete+: How do you guys measure strength and conditioning gains in the off season? How far ahead of last year are you at this point?
Jacob Gall: The two main measures of strength and conditioning are max lifts and our body fat/muscle density scans we do throughout the year. My max lifts have been the highest they’ve ever been in my career so I would say I am very far ahead.
Athlete+: Did you text your old coach and congratulate him when Kansas beat Texas?
Jacob Gall: Not the coaches but I did congratulate some of my former teammates that transferred to Kansas!
Athlete+: Have you seen enough of the young linemen coming in to single any out as potentially special?
Jacob Gall: The only one I have seen is George Maile and he’s really impressed me this off season so far.
Athlete+: It is often said that the center is one of the smartest guys on the offense. Do you see the possibility that you’ll use all you have learned to coach?
Jacob Gall: It’s certainly a possibility but coaching is not my main goal for the future.
Athlete+: Who was the best opposing DL you went up against last year?
Jacob Gall: Apu Ika. Not really opposing but he’s certainly the best I’ve went against ever.
Athlete+: No more helmetless plays, ok?
Jacob Gall: Only if you get the other team to promise not to take it off me!