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.
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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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The Orange and White game might have felt incomplete after weather caused a cancellation at halftime of the spring scrimmage, but the event was a success on the recruiting front for the Texas class. While Shane Buechele showed glimpses of what is to come, recruits on campus took notice. As we spoke with many of them after the event, there was a palpable buzz coming from nearly all of them. Let’s start with two of the biggest name prospects on campus.
Bellaire Episcopal OL Walker Little brought his family to Austin, and the word was that Texas took a big step within this recruitment. The hype even went so far that a source near the program contacted me to tell me that he thought Little had given Texas a soft commitment. In checking with some folks near Walker, we were told that was not true, but they did give the visit high marks. Texas showed Little a true red carpet treatment, and his parents really enjoyed the atmosphere and experience. The Longhorns are still going to have a fight on their hands against some monster programs, but the bottom line is that Walker really likes the program and coaching staff. He sees Texas as a great opportunity for him both on and off the field.
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Temple defensive end Taquon Graham has been a frequent visitor to Austin this spring. The dynamic pass rusher hasn’t kept his feelings for Texas private, and we were told by a source close to him that he had a great time once again at the game. Graham has a very strong relationship with Vance Bedford, and his relationship with Brick Haley is getting better each time the two get together. At this point we believe it is a matter of when rather than if for Taquon. His mom signed off on a commitment to Texas after visiting with him earlier in the spring, and 2015 signee Davion Curtis is one of his best friends. Graham is reportedly considering a summer commitment, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see this timeline get moved up if the coaches push for it.
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2018 Sachse quarterback Jalen Mayden seems to be the top target on the Texas board in his class. Mayden camped in Austin last summer, and he’s been invited to campus just about every time they open the doors. We caught up with Mayden following his visit to get a read on his experience.
On how he enjoyed the spring game:
“Good! I wish I could have seen more of the offense, but it got shut down early.â€
His thoughts on the new offense:
“I like it a lot. It reminded me of my High School. I like how they used the wide receivers and spread them out to the sidelines. I would like to see the quarterback be more active in the offense. They definitely have a good group of wide receivers though.”
On if he got to talk to the coaches:
“Yeah, I talked with Coach Strong. We talked about spring ball, and he told me what he wanted to see out of me this year. Coach Gilbert told me he was going to check me out in the spring. He’s going to come up to Dallas to watch me, like really watch me. He wants to come to really focus on me and evaluate me.â€
On if he talked with any players at the game:
“Yeah, I talked with (Charles) Omenihu. He went to my rival school, so I know him pretty well. I also talked with Shane (Buechele). I just told him good game and he told me they looked sloppy and need to get better.â€
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Lake Dallas (TX) corner Kobe Boyce made his first trip back to Austin since committing a few weeks ago. He visited campus with his father and a friend, and he also had the opportunity to bond with a few of his fellow commitments.
“I already knew Major (Tennison), but I met Sam (Ehlinger) and Damion (Miller) todayâ€.
Boyce enjoyed the game, but was a bit bummed that the weather interfered. “It was good, but I wish it didn’t get cancelledâ€, Boyce said. “I enjoyed it overall.†Boyce told us his father really enjoyed the visit as well, and as we’ve reported in the past he is incredibly solid to Texas. No worries for Texas with the talented corner, and Texas fans should be able to count on him to help recruit other prospects in this class.
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Plano West linebacker Mohamed Sanogo is another frequent visitor to Austin. “Momo†has been tearing up the camp circuit, and he’s definitely on the Texas radar. Sanogo was in town for the Orange and White game, and he told us it was another good visit to Austin. “It was great, I saw really good things on the defensive side.†Sanogo told us he got to spend time with Brian Jean-Mary, and his relationship with the Texas coach is growing. “I’m pretty comfortable with him, he’s a pretty cool guy. All the linebackers I have spoken with say they like him as a coach as well.†Sanogo does not hold a Texas offer at this time, but Texas could be close to extending one. They’ve done a good job so far of keeping him engaged, and they are positioning themselves well for a second half recruitment
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2018 Sachse defensive end Zachary Gilson joined Jalen Mayden on campus for the scrimmage. Gilson visited previously for the Texas junior day, and in the past he’s raved about the on campus experience. So how did he enjoy the spring game? “It was great.†Gilson said. “I love the atmosphere.†When asked what his favorite part of the visit was, Gilson answered “the home feeling that it gave to me. It’s just great.†Gilson is a player who is just starting to pick up interest. The Texas staff is well aware of the talented sophomore, and if they get involved for him within the next year they have a strong chance of landing “Big Red.â€
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Nacogdoches corner Josh Thompson made another visit to Austin to take in the Texas spring game. Thompson is close with 2016 signee Brandon Jones, and Texas is letting Thompson know they are evaluating him closely. Thompson loves the Texas program, and he had a great trip up for the game. “The visit was amazing. The coaches were very straight forward with me, and they told me not to worry about anything because my time is coming. During the visit I felt real comfortable. The fans and players treated me well.†Thompson was also encouraged by the performance during the scrimmage. “They are going to be tough next year, plus they have a great group of players coming in this year.†With Texas watching him closely, we urge you to keep his name in mind throughout the year.
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Wilmer-Hutchins ATH Herb Sparks doesn’t hold an offer from Texas, but that hasn’t stopped him from getting in front of the coaches as frequently as possible. We caught up with him afterwards, and the dynamic playmaker raved about his visit. “Man I loved it! That’s the best visit I’ve been on. The game was good, but it would have been better if it wasn’t cancelled. It was still a great game, and Shane (Buechele) is a baller.†Sparks spent some time with Jeff Traylor on campus, and he told us he plans to be back on campus this summer. “Yes, if they don’t offer in the spring I will be coming in for a camp.†Sparks is another name to keep in mind as we progress into the spring evaluation period.
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2018 Yoakum twins Joshua and Jordan Moore made their second trip to Texas this spring, and it sounds like they had a great time. “The visit was great! The atmosphere was crazy, the fans were crazy! When something good happened, the stadium just suddenly erupted even though it was just a spring game. That’s pretty impressive to me that the fans were all in like that! A lot of big time players made big time plays, it was just a great overall visit and I’ll be back for sure,†said Joshua Moore.
His brother Jordan echoed the praise for the visit. “It was great, I love Texas. They are one of my favorites, and one of the best in the country!†The twins didn’t get much time with the coaches due to the fact they had to leave early when the rain started coming down. The Moore’s mother is a graduate of Texas, and it looks like both twins are feeling the Longhorns early on. “They most definitely just jumped to the top of the list,†said Joshua. The Texas coaches are laying the foundation for their recruitment, and it sounds like it is going very well. “As of now, we are slowly building this relationship. We’re taking as many unofficial visits there as possible to get to know everybody more deeply,†Joshua told us. Both players are four star caliber, and they both look like early takes according to the film. With a mother as a graduate, and those quotes, you have to like where Texas sits here.
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2018 Rockwall linebacker Alston Orji is starting to pick up some momentum among 2018 recruits. He made his way to Austin this weekend, and Texas made a strong first impression for him. “I enjoyed my visit to Texas,†said Orji. “I got to catch up with Chris Warren and meet other players and coaches. It was a great football environment, and I’d like to visit again at another time if possible.†Orji got to spend some time with the coaches, and he found that he shares many of the same values with the Texas staff. “I had the opportunity to speak to several coaches, and I was happy to find out Texas values the same things I do regarding education.†While it’s early on in his recruitment, Orji told us he felt that Texas has a legitimate interest in him. “They showed an appropriate level of interest in me as a student-athlete, complimenting me on my game and my classroom work.†We spoke with a source who was with Orji on the visit, and he told us about another thing that is working in the Longhorns’ favor. Orji is Nigerian, and Texas has a well-documented history of Nigerian players. His parents have done mission work with Sam and Emmanuel Acho’s parents, and they were unaware that Sam and Emmanuel attended Texas. Meanwhile, Charles Omenihu is already on campus, while Tope Imade and Denzel Okafor will be enrolling this fall. Put all of that together, and it seems like Texas would be a great fit for Orji and his family.
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One final note. If Texas decides to roll with Shane Buechele as a starter this season, it could be a potential boost for recruiting. In talking to some sources inside the recruiting world, it was clear that Buechele opened some eyes on Saturday. Several people mentioned the buzz the young freshman created. If Buechele can succeed this season and show some positive development going forward, Texas could potentially surge with several skill prospects. Many prospects already have a high opinion on Sam Ehlinger, and if Texas can show they’ve got some real talent stocked up at quarterback they can really make some noise on the recruiting scene. It’s a very small sample size, but people are starting to see some rays of light at the end of the tunnel.
