The point on a brisket is typically the fattiest cut. Pitmasters often trim the point (and select edges) off a brisket and return those pieces to the smoker.
Are burnt ends tough, chewy worthless cuts of meat, or are they heavenly bites of smoky goodness? It depends on who you ask…
Rather than discard the trimmings and fat, we choose to savor all the information that flows through the site. So, sit down and help yourself to some burnt ends.
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We expect to see some movement on the offensive coaching front this week. The first chip to fall was the exit of Ohio State from the CFB playoff. With the Buckeyes bounced in the first round of competition, it opens up an avenue for OSU Co-OC Tim Beck to head to Austin.
Beck is the name with the most steam behind it so far, so let’s learn a little more about him. The Youngstown, Ohio native worked his way through the high school level in Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Beck made stops at RL Turner High School, and Mansfield Summit in the DFW area before moving to the college level. He got his first major break as a member of Mark Mangino’s staff at Kansas. Beck started as the wide receiver coach in Lawrence, and he was promoted to passing game coordinator in 2007, which was the year the Jayhawks went 12-1 and won the Orange Bowl. Beck moved on to Nebraska under Bo Pelini in 2008 as the running backs coach, and in 2011 he replaced Shawn Watson as offensive coordinator for the Huskers. Beck then moved on to Ohio State after Tom Herman took the Houston job.
His history is a bit mixed as a play caller, but Beck is regarded as a good coach, and a strong recruiter. Beck is largely responsible for the Buckeye presence in Texas this year. He was a big player in the recruitment of Baron Browning and JK Dobbins, and Marvin Wilson is a big fan of his as well. He’s also the lead recruiter for Jeff Okudah, who is likely headed to the Buckeyes. Over his time as a recruiter he landed five-star quarterback Emory Jones, as well as four-star quarterbacks Dwayne Haskins, and Tate Martell. Beck has a strong relationship with Herman, and this potential hire fits the vertical alignment that Herman spoke about in his first press conference.
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The running backs coaching position is also open, and the path is clear there for Herman to go after former Urban Meyer assistant Stan Drayton. Drayton is currently employed as the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears. The Bears’ season ended on Sunday, and Drayton is now free to be pursued. Drayton has bounced in between the collegiate and professional level with stops at Eastern Michigan, Penn, Villanova, Bowling Green, the Green Bay Packers, and Mississippi State. In 2005 he landed at Florida with Urban Meyer. In his time at Florida he was known as one of Meyer’s top recruiters. After several more moves he joined Ohio State as a wide receivers coach, and was moved to running backs when Urban Meyer took over the following year. During his time coaching he was responsible for the recruitment of Chris Rainey, Curtis Samuel, Ezekiel Elliott, Cam Newton, Riley Cooper, Mike Pouncey, and Maurkice Pouncey. There has been less talk around the running back coaching position, but we believe that Drayton is the top target based on what we’ve heard.
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We’re going to take a bit of a different angle on the recruiting forecast this week. Since we last brought you Burnt Ends there have been a few commitments. Tonight we will take a look at the class numbers and try to finish things off for you to the best of our ability.
Quarterback
Need: 1-2
Committed: Sam Ehlinger – Westlake
On the radar: None
While we believe the Longhorns could take another quarterback in this class, they aren’t going to risk upsetting their prize recruit. Ehlinger fits this offense well, and he’s been a leader in the recruiting class so far.
Prediction to finish: Sam Ehlinger
Running Back
Need: 2
Committed: Toneil Carter – Langham Creek, Daniel Young – Spring Westfield
On the radar: None
Texas filled their needs at the position quickly with thunder (Young) and lighting (Carter). It appears they are closing up shop on the position with their current haul.
Prediction to finish: Toneil Carter, Daniel Young
Wide Receiver
Need: 3-4
Committed: Damion Miller – John Tyler
On the radar: Charleston Rambo – Cedar Hill, Omar Manning – Lancaster, CeeDee Lamb – Richmond Foster, Jamire Calvin – Los Angeles Cathedral, Jordan Pouncey – Winter Park (FL).
Texas has an explosive threat in Damion Miller, and they’d love to land a receiver with size (Manning, Lamb, Pouncey), explosion (Calvin), or a technician that can do it all (Rambo). The Longhorns still feel good about their chances with Manning, but they are on the outside with a number of other prospects. Pouncey is expected to visit in January, and if they can get Rambo or Lamb on campus those situations could improve.
Prediction to finish: Damion Miller, Omar Manning, unknown
Tight End
Need: 2
Committed: Cade Brewer – Lake Travis, Reese Leitao – Jenks
On the radar: None
Texas landed both of their targets in the late part of the cycle, and the Longhorns have what they need to start building depth into one of the bigger waste lands on the roster.
Prediction to finish: Cade Brewer, Reese Leitao
Offensive Line
Need: 2-3
Committed: Derek Kerstetter – San Antonio Reagan
On the radar: Grant Polley – Denton
We expect another target to emerge in January (keep an eye on Frisco Independence OL Jason Moore), but luckily the Longhorns took a big class in the last cycle. Texas landed Kerstetter, and the talk behind the scenes is trending well for Polley.
Prediction to finish: Derek Kerstetter, Grant Polley
Defensive End
Need: 2-3
Committed: Taquon Graham – Temple
On the radar: K’Lavon Chaisson – North Shore, Ryan Johnson – Mobile (AL) Saint Paul, Bryan Jones – Baton Rouge (LA) Madison Prep
Texas lost long time DE commitment Lagaryonn Carson due to academic troubles, but they find themselves in a good position for Chaisson, Jones, and Johnson. Chaisson will decide between Texas and LSU, and he is a fit right away as a rush end in Orlando’s 3-4. Graham is still being pressed from Oklahoma, but Texas has a chance to shut the door quickly after the dead period. Auburn is the front-runner for Johnson, but Texas is running second and Auburn is filling up.
Prediction to finish: Taquon Graham, K’Lavon Chaisson, Bryan Jones/Ryan Johnson
Defensive Tackle
Need: 1-2
Committed: None
On the radar: Marvin Wilson – Bellaire Episcopal, Damion Daniels – Bishop Dunne
Texas was fortunate to take a big group last year, and they could find themselves grasping at straws this year. Marvin Wilson left Texas out of his top 5, and Daniels has never shown much interest. Texas might need to look to the JUCO level if they want to take an inside guy.
Prediction to finish: None/JUCO
Linebacker
Need: 2-3
Committed: None
On the radar: Marqez Bimage – Brenham, Levi Jones – Westlake
The Longhorns have a big need at inside linebacker, but they struck out so far. There are some secondary targets they could go after, or Bimage could figure in there.
Prediction to finish: Marqez Bimage.
Defensive Back
Need: 3-4
Committed: Kobe Boyce – Lake Dallas, Josh Thompson – Nacogdoches, Montrell Estell – Hooks
On the radar: Kendall Sheffield – Blinn, Chevin Calloway – Bishop Dunne, Kameron Curl – Muskogee (OK), Kary Vincent Jr (Port Arthur Memorial)
Texas has most of their defensive back class together, but the position versatility of guys like Josh Thompson could allow them to take on extra numbers at corner or safety. Calloway is the most likely of the bunch, but Arkansas remains the big threat there. Things are starting turn with Sheffield, and he might end up at Texas if A&M decides to just back out of it completely.
Prediction to finish: Josh Thompson, Kobe Boyce, Montrell Estell, Kendall Sheffield
Kicker
Need: 1
Committed: Joshua Rowland – East Mississippi CC
The first commit of the Tom Herman era might be a big one if Rowland can nail down the kicking job this fall.
Prediction to finish: Joshua Rowland
Predicted Class (19)
QB – Sam Ehlinger
RB – Toneil Carter
RB – Daniel Young
WR – Damion Miller
WR – Omar Manning
WR – Unknown
TE – Reese Leitao
TE – Cade Brewer
OL – Derek Kerstetter
OL – Grant Polley
DE – K’Lavon Chaisson
DE – Taquon Graham
DE – Bryan Jones/Ryan Johnson
LB – Marqez Bimage
DB – Kobe Boyce
DB – Josh Thompson
DB – Montrell Estell
DB – Kendall Sheffield
K – Joshua Rowland
