FRISCO, Texas — The early returns on the two Texas graduate transfers — former Rice offensive lineman Calvin Anderson and former Cal running back Tre Watson — have acclimated themselves within the program in a few short weeks have proven two things to be true.

First, both are hard workers and hit the ground running for summer conditioning. Second, Tom Herman and everyone else in the organization did a tremendous job of finding potentially significant contributors at two positions of need who have blended in flawlessly with other Longhorns who got an 18-month head start on establishing the culture the current regime wants in place.

During Big 12 Media Days, fifth-year senior tight end Andrew Beck said the older members of the locker room asked Anderson and Watson to step up and join them as leaders once the transfers showed they could handle their business in the grueling summer workouts conducted by Yancy McKnight. What’s impressed Beck and the team’s elder statesmen is that Anderson and Watson embraced what was asked of them and have taken on those leadership roles.

“They came in, put their nose to the grindstone and handled their business,” Beck said. “When we came in and saw that they’re going to do their job, we told them, ‘Alright, you’re a grown man, you’re an older guy, you’ve got to be a little bit of a lead now, too. You haven’t been here that long, but you know what college football is about compared to the younger guys that haven’t played a down yet.’”

Beck singled out Watson in particular for being a positive vocal leader with a strong voice, something Beck said is different from how most graduate transfers get acclimated to a new program.

“They kind of want to come and do their work and go about their business,” Beck said. “But he’s really come in and been a positive influence for us.”

Patrick Vahe, who the burnt orange faithful hope to see lining up at guard next to Anderson at tackle on the left side of the offensive line for the Sept. 1 season opener against Maryland at FedEx Field, said Anderson’s character reflects the good values bestowed upon him by his family, including Anderson’s father DeVry, a full bird colonel in the Army.

“He has a humbling character and I think he learned that from his dad since he’s in the military,” Vahe said. “Seeing him and his work ethic is something that I respect a lot because he’s falling into the tradition and molding himself into a player to make sure the culture is instilled in him.”

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As far as what the two could bring to the Longhorns on the field once the ball is snapped, Beck said the entire squad has been impressed with Watson’s athletic ability. After racking up 2,430 all-purpose yards (1,390 rushing yards) in 37 career games with the Golden Bears, Beck said Watson has shown he’s still got a lot to offer athletic despite coming off of a knee injury that limited him to two games last season.

“He can really run,” Beck said. “We do change of direction days and he looks really good moving around.”

Anderson, a 36-game starter for the Owls and a two-time All-Conference USA honorable mention selection, has done everything in his power this summer to digest the Texas offense according to Vahe, who spent time with Anderson during his recruiting visit in the spring and calls the Austin Westlake product a genuinely good person.

“I’m kind of excited to see what the season holds for him,” Vahe said. “He still has a lot to learn, but at the same time he’s willing to take the opportunity to learn it and fulfill anything and earn everybody on the team’s trust.”