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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Temple (TX) DE Taquon Graham should be on campus within the next week. Graham initiated a visit with the Texas coaches to get some more individual time according to a source close to his recruitment. While Graham was impressed with what he saw at the at the Texas junior day, the event hosted so many prospects that the coaches were occupied for the most part. Graham holds Texas among the teams standing out for him, along with TCU and Baylor. The dynamic edge rusher holds offers from schools all over the nation, but we’ve been told his desire to stay close to home has dwindled this race down to an in-state battle. We’ve also been told that Graham’s mother is very comfortable with Texas due to the close proximity of campus and Charlie Strong’s reputation for discipline. Having his former teammate Davion Curtis on campus doesn’t hurt things either. While Texas will have to face-off against in-state rivals for Graham’s services, everything is looking good for the Longhorns here.
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We were told by the same source that Lake Dallas (TX) DB Kobe Boyce could be making a trip down at the same time as Graham. Boyce is really starting to pick up interest from bigger programs, and Texas is monitoring him closely. We are told that Boyce communicates with the Texas staff at every possible opportunity, and Vance Bedford is personally involved in this recruitment. Boyce received an offer from Baylor last week, and he told us that the Bears are currently at the top of his list. He did say that he’s waiting on Texas because he feels he can really succeed there. The Longhorns told him they would come by in the spring to evaluate, and he expects an offer to come after that. If Texas gets involved they will be right at the top for the burgeoning star corner.
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Last week we gave you a look at the offensive side of the 2017 class and the recruitment status for those prospects. This week we flip over to the defensive side of the ball to show you where the Longhorns stand early on with this incredibly stacked class.
DT – Marvin Wilson – Bellaire Episcopal
Ranked the top player in the nation by some services, Wilson is a freak of nature at the tackle position. We are excited to see him in person at the Opening regional in Houston this weekend. Wilson has a group of schools at the top of his list, and Texas is right there. They might be a bit behind Alabama and LSU, but the relationship Wilson has with Charlie Strong is working in his favor.
DT – Deiontae Watts – Plano East
I’m not sure how serious Texas is about this race, and Watts for his part hasn’t shown a ton of interest in the Longhorns.
DT – Damion Daniels – Bishop Dunne
Daniels seems to pick up a new offer each day, and while Texas is on that list all signs point to Damion joining his older brother Darrion at Oklahoma State. After signing a big class last year, this isn’t a huge need for the Longhorns.
DE – Lagaryonn Carson – Liberty Eylau (Texas commit)
Carson was a bit of a surprise as an early commitment to Texas, but he professes to be strong for the Horns. Carson is a vocal recruiter for Texas on twitter, but he does plan to take some visits this year.
DE – Taquon Graham – Temple
Texas is in a strong position here, and Graham already has a good relationship with the coaching staff. If Brick Haley can continue to work that relationship they should be able to land him.
DE – Robert Beal – Norcross GA
Beal professed Texas as his leader after de-committing from Notre Dame earlier in the year. I’d like to see him make a visit or two to campus before I feel better forecasting this one, but standing out early among a group that includes Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida State, and Georgia is definitely something worth talking about.
DE – K’Lavon Chaisson – North Shore
Texas offered early, but Chaisson hasn’t shown much interest as of yet. Baylor and A&M probably lead for his services at this point.
DE – Earnest Brown – Denton Ryan (Committed to Northwestern)
Texas lost out to Northwestern when Brown committed there last week. It will be interesting to see if Texas intensifies their efforts to get back in on Brown, because he might be behind a few other players on the recruiting board.
DE – Bryan Jones – Madison Prep (LA)
Jones is a teammate of Malcolm Roach, so that should work in the Longhorns favor, but the big bodied edge player is fielding offers from just about every school in the nation. Texas should have a leg up, but they will have to battle.
LB – Baron Browning – Kennedale
Texas sits in a strong position for Browning, but competition from Baylor and TCU along with a ton of national offers should keep Texas on their toes. Browning has a strong relationship with the Texas staff, and he has been to Austin numerous times.
LB – Anthony Hines – Plano East
Hines holds offers from nearly 90 schools, but Texas has always been a constant for the athletic inside linebacker. Malik Jefferson is a factor in this recruitment, and you can bet Hines will be listening there. Hines is also close with Browning, and I could see the two going to school together.
LB – Dylan Moses – IMG Academy
Moses is a bit of a unicorn at this point, but he’s always held Texas in high regard. It’s fair to say Texas is behind at least Alabama, and I have the feeling LSU will make their way back into the race. All Texas can do is take their best shot, but it would take a nearly flawless recruitment.
LB – Levi Jones – Austin Westlake
This once looked like it could be a slam dunk recruitment for Texas, but Jones hasn’t been on campus very much since the offer. His recruitment is taking on a national flavor, and his teammate Sam Ehlinger will need to work overtime to get him to Austin.
LB – Mohamed Sanogo – Plano West
Sanogo has been tearing up the camp circuit, and I get the feeling he might be a secondary option if Texas misses on their other ILB candidates. Texas is keeping in contact, but they haven’t progressed to the next step yet.
LB – Kenneth Murray – Elkins
Murray is another option that could happen if Texas misses on some other targets. His positional versatility makes him a weapon in the middle or off the edge. Texas is keeping in close contact here as well.
LB – Loren Mondy – Mansfield Lake Ridge (Committed to Arizona State)
Texas is still evaluating Mondy at this point, and they could come through with an offer if they like what they see. We’ve been told that Texas is one of the only schools that could pull him away from his Arizona State commitment.
DB – Jeff Okudah – South Grand Prairie
Texas has re-entered the conversation for the top defensive back in the state. Okudah is an impact player at either safety or corner, and he wants to play corner at the next level. Texas has some work to do, but Clay Jennings has them at the table.
DB – Derrick Tucker – Manvel
There was a time when Tucker looked like he was headed for Texas at any moment. He’s hinted at commitments in the past, but never pulled the trigger. Texas is still in good shape, but it’s not going to be the easy recruitment it once was.
DB – Chevin Calloway – Bishop Dunne
Things between Texas and Calloway have just never taken off. We were told by sources that Baylor is the runaway leader here and could land his commitment any day now.
DB – Kary Vincent – Port Arthur Memorial
Vincent says he likes Texas a lot due to the Jamaal Charles connection, but he’s yet to visit campus since receiving his offer. Baylor is looking strong here as well with Kam Martin headed to Waco this season. Texas has to get Vincent on campus to start chipping away.
DB – Grant Delpit – Houston Lamar
The top safety in the state hasn’t shown a ton of interest in the Longhorns, and the SEC looms large in his race along with Baylor and TCU.
DB – Kobe Boyce – Lake Dallas
Texas would be in a very good position to land the Lake Dallas corner if they offered, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see one come his way later in the spring.
DB – Darrion Green – Woodrow Wilson
“Speedy†holds Texas in very high esteem, but he isn’t hearing from them much at this point. If Texas did get involved they could almost certainly land Green.
DB – Josh Thompson – Nacogdoches
Several Big 12 schools are circling Thompson, but none have jumped all in for him yet. Charlie Strong has been in communication with the physical DB, and they certainly have an advantage with Brandon Jones enrolling this fall.