Burnt Ends – 02/22/2016 (Junior Day Edition)

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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This is a free site, so anyone can read this report. If you share it with someone, please take time to attribute the information to HornSports.

 

 

 

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This week’s edition will provide an updated list of upcoming Junior day attendees and a short synopsis on where things stand with those particular recruits and the Longhorns.

 

 

 

Let’s get started.

 

 

 

QB – Sam Ehlinger – Austin Westlake

 

The leader of the 2017 class will be in Austin to do some recruiting. Ehlinger is one of the recruits in this class leading the charge to land other players to the cause. Ehlinger is well liked and other players believe in him after a monster junior season.

 

 

 

QB – Jalen Mayden – Sachse (2018 class)

 

Mayden will be one of the top targets for the 2018 class, and an offer to him this weekend could go a long way to sending the message about his importance to Texas. If Texas offers it could put them in a strong position with one of the top passers in the 2018 class.

 

 

 

RB – Eno Benjamin – Wylie East

 

Benjamin is one of the top options on the Texas board at running back, but Texas has yet to extend an offer to the Wylie East back. Benjamin recently named Michigan and Iowa as two schools standing out to him, and he might want to make a decision soon. If Texas wants to get involved, they will need to come with an offer soon.

 

 

 

WR – Camron Buckley – Cedar Hill

 

Buckley is one of the top targets at wide receiver for the Longhorns, but the Cedar Hill pass catcher named Houston as his leader when we spoke to him last month. Texas definitely has a chance here, and they can pick up some ground if Buck likes what he sees.

 

 

 

WR – Damion Miller – John Tyler

 

The lone Texas wide receiver commit is still open to other schools, so this weekend is a good opportunity to draw him in. Miller is part of an east Texas trio of recruits, and this is the first chance for the entire recruiting class to really spend some time together. Miller is an important piece of the class so far, and this weekend is an important step in this recruitment.

 

 

 

WR – Drue Jackson – Sachse (2018 class)

 

Jackson is close with Mayden, and he’s been to Texas multiple times. It’s difficult to tell if he’s a priority for Texas for right now, but It’s a good chance for Texas to establish some early ground in this recruitment.

 

 

 

OL – Tyrese Robinson – McKinney Boyd

 

Robinson is committed to Oklahoma, but he’s still choosing to make a trip to Austin this weekend. While our sources indicate his Oklahoma pledge is firm, but anything can happen when you get a player on campus.

 

 

 

OL – Grayson Reed – Cy Creek

 

Reed is one of the top Texas offensive line targets, and he’s recently started to blow up from a recruiting standpoint. Reed is a Texas legacy, and he told us at the Army All-American combine that Texas was standing out for him. Reed has a great relationship with Matt Mattox, and Texas could come out of this weekend with a strong lead for the Cy-Creek lineman.

 

 

 

OL – Walker Little – Bellaire Episcopal

 

The state’s top tackle is a maybe to attend, and while whispers behind the scenes point to a SEC recruitment, Texas put themselves in a good position by offering Little first. Little making it to Austin would be big for Texas in this recruitment.

 

 

 

ATH – Montrell Estell – Hooks

 

If I had to pick a candidate I felt most strongly about getting a Texas offer this weekend, Estell would be high on my list. The big east Texas athlete has yet to be noticed on the national scene, but a look at his film will show you some of what made former Texas receiver Malcolm Williams such a coveted prospect.

 

 

 

TE – Major Tennison – Bullard

 

Much like Damion Miller, Texas needs to do some work in this recruitment. Tennison is committed to Texas, but he has some concerns about the new Texas offense and his role as a tight end. Sterlin Gilbert and Jeff Traylor will need to sell Tennison on his role in Austin.

 

 

 

DE – Taquon Graham – Temple

 

Graham likes Texas, but they haven’t been showing him the love the Temple defender would like to see. That lack of attention has TCU on top for Graham, but things can definitely change this weekend if Texas goes all in for Graham.

 

 

 

DE – LaGaryonn Carson – Liberty Eylau

 

The most vocal recruiter in the Texas class has a chance to make an impact this weekend and get some folks on board. Carson is a strong commit, and should be quite a tool for the Texas class going forward.

 

 

 

DE – Alex Duke – Bellaire

 

The Houston commit has yet to be offered by Texas, but if the Longhorns get involved they could make some noise with the Houston area defender.

 

 

 

LB/DE – Kenneth Murray – Elkins

 

Murray is one of the most versatile defenders in the state, and Texas has kept in steady contact with him. He’s another dark horse to receive an offer this weekend, and if that were to happen I’d say there’s a good chance he commits.

 

 

 

LB – Levi Jones – Austin Westlake

 

Jones will be one of the current Texas offers on campus this weekend. While interest is piquing from all over the nation, Jones is close with his teammate Sam Ehlinger, and the tealeaves say Texas sits in the lead.

 

 

 

LB – Baron Browning – Kennedale

 

Browning recently de-committed from Baylor, and he’s always had a love for Charlie strong and Texas. There is a lot of positive vibes floating for Texas and Browning, but this will probably be a long recruitment. Texas has a chance to put their best foot forward this weekend.

 

 

 

LB – Anthony Hines – Plano East

 

Hines has offers from over 80 schools, but he’s fond of Texas and is the top inside linebacker target for Texas. The Longhorns are trying to put together a third straight stellar linebacking class, and Hines is an essential piece to that.

 

 

 

LB – Loren Mondy – Mansfield Lake Ridge

 

The Arizona State commit has been to Austin a few times, and an offer from Texas could cause him to open up his recruitment. Mondy can play inside at backer or on the edge as a pass rusher.

 

 

 

DB – Darrion Green – Woodrow Wilson

 

“Speedy” Green has been on the Texas radar since last spring, and he’ll be making another trip to Austin for junior day. He can play on either side of the ball, but probably projects as a corner at the next level. He’s high on Texas and Oklahoma at this point.

 

 

 

DB – Josh Thompson – Nacogdoches

 

Thompson is a teammate of Brandon Jones, and he’s starting to stand out as one of the top corners in the 2017 class. Contact between Texas and Thompson picked up recently, and he could be in line for an offer at junior day. If Texas does offer it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Thompson jump all over it.

 

 

 

DB – Kobe Boyce – Lake Dallas

 

Boyce is starting to pick up steam as one of the top corners in the state. He’s had a string of recent offers and has been in contact with Texas coaches. There’s some thought Boyce could be in line for an offer this week, and if that happens he’s almost a slam dunk to commit.

 

 

 

OL – Matthew Huhn – San Antonio Jay

 

Huhn is a massive OL prospect flying under the radar right now. Texas has a few other targets in front of him, but keep an eye on Huhn as a prospect for down the line.

 

 

 

DE – Bryan Jones – Madison Prep (Louisiana)

 

Jones is a teammate of Texas signee Malcolm Roach, and his film looks good enough to justify an offer. With Roach already on board, look for Texas to lead if that happens, but never count out LSU for a Louisiana kid.

 

 

 

DE – Earnest Brown – Denton Ryan

 

The newest Texas offer doesn’t know much about the program or college football in general. Texas is one of his biggest offers, so they have a chance to create some distance this weekend.

 

 

 

LB – Mohamed Sanogo – Plano West

 

Sanogo might be a victim of crowded numbers at the linebacker position, but the Plano West prospect can flat out play. If Texas does offer they should sit pretty high for Sanogo.

 

 

 

DB – Derrick Tucker – Manvel

 

Tucker has been close to committing a few times, and Texas is among his top schools along with Houston. Reggie Hemphill will be working on Tucker in his remaining months at Manvel, and Texas could get him locked down this week. Tucker has a good relationship with Clay Jennings who was recruiting him at Arkansas.

 

 

 

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We had a chance to talk with a couple of sources about Hardee McCrary, who was announced as the new High School Relations Director. The early returns were positive from the older coaches in the state who knew McCrary first as a Texas player and then as a coach under Mack Brown’s staff. In short, the coaches who know him love him and think he was the perfect choice for the position. He’s more popular with older high school coaches in the state, but they told us his ability to relate with people shouldn’t make it hard for him to establish strong relationships with coaches who don’t know who he is. Those we spoke to thought this was a big step for Texas going forward.