Burnt Ends – 04/25/2016

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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It was a slow week on the recruiting scene. There is a small lull in between the end of Texas spring practice, and the beginning of the spring evaluation period. The HornSports staff worked the phones to get some info on recruits, and we thought we’d bring you a big picture look at where Texas stands with those on the recruiting board.

 

 

 

Quarterback – Sam Ehlinger – Austin Westlake (Texas commit)

 

Nothing new here. Ehlinger is as firm a commit as one can be. The Westlake gunslinger is leading a recruiting charge for the Texas class, and behind the scenes it’s resonating with recruits. It should be encouraging to hear that many recruits really respect Sam and his game. While he’s not a public guy recruiting on social media, we were told he’s very easy to connect with, and other recruits see him as incredibly genuine. Ehlinger has taken on a Charlie Strong like “long game” approach to this process, and it should pay off down the line in one aspect or another.

 

 

 

Running Back – Toneil Carter – Langham Creek

 

Texas is trying to intensify their recruiting efforts for the Houston area runner, but they do have a battle on their hands. The Louisiana born prospect values the opportunity to play in the SEC, and it looks like the Aggies are starting to pull away in this race.

 

 

 

Running Back – JK Dobbins – LaGrange (Ohio State commit)

 

This one has to hurt for the Longhorns. A premier prospect that lives just down the road from your campus ends up choosing an out of state option after declaring Texas his dream school. The good news is that Texas has plenty of time to turn this into an Erick Fowler like recruitment. Dobbins is flippable, but he really does love Ohio State. If Texas wants to win out they are going to really have to step up their game.

 

 

 

Running Back – Najee Harris – Antioch, CA (Alabama commit)

 

It was nice to see Texas throw their hat in the ring for one of the top players in the nation, but the reality is this one is not going to happen barring a miraculous season and top notch recruiting job.

 

 

 

Wide Receiver – Damion Miller – John Tyler (Texas commit)

 

Miller is going to continue taking visits and talk about evaluating options, but the spring game went a long way to calm his concerns about the Texas offense. Our sources tell us that Miller loves Texas and wants to stick with his commitment, but he also wants to make sure he’s making the right decision for himself. If the Longhorns can continue to show growth on offense, they should be able to hold on to the east Texas star.

 

 

 

Wide Receiver – Omar Manning – Lancaster

 

Manning is a pretty quiet player, but it’s well known within metroplex circles that TCU holds a solid lead for him right now. Oklahoma is also a serious contender, but from what we understand Texas is on the outside looking in. There seems to be some optimism within the Texas program about their chances of landing Manning, and I’m not sure where it’s coming from.

 

 

 

Wide Receiver – Tyrell Shavers – Lewisville

 

We’ve got a mixed bag of information on Shavers. A source on his high school coaching staff indicated that Texas was in a very strong position to land the high end athlete, but sources close to Shavers we spoke to yesterday indicate that the SEC is more alluring for him. A primary concern of Shavers is the ability to play baseball at the next level. LSU, Texas A&M, and Florida State seem to be the schools talked about at this point.

 

 

 

Wide Receiver – Camron Buckley – Cedar Hill

 

There’s a delicate situation arising with Buckley, who plans to make a commitment on May 2nd. Texas currently leads for the south Dallas star, but Texas made some indications they’d like to evaluate him in the spring before accepting his commitment. The Longhorns are waiting on players like Shavers and Manning, and they may not want to fill up so quickly. If Texas doesn’t take his commitment, we are told Ole Miss is ready to accept one and they would be the likely destination.

 

 

 

Wide Receiver – Mannie Netherly – Crosby (Texas A&M commit)

 

Netherly is open for business from what we hear, and Texas is trying to get their foot in the door. Mannie grew up a Texas fan, but he was put off by the fact that Texas offered later than most other schools. Texas has the opportunity to get in there, but it seems like LSU has a lot of steam right now.

 

 

 

Wide Receiver – Montrell Estell – Hooks

 

The east Texas receiver seems to be taking things slowly, but Texas is in the thick of the race. We are told A&M leads by a slim margin, but this one might be a long way from ending.

 

 

 

Tight End – Major Tennison – Bullard (Texas commit)

 

Tennison enjoyed his time on campus for the spring game, and he seems genuinely torn by his love for Texas and his desire to see other options. It should also be mentioned that the Texas offense didn’t do much to feature the tight end during the spring game. If Jeff Traylor can stay the course, Texas has a good chance to hold on. Expect more visits for the big tight end throughout the year, but don’t overreact to the ebbs and flows of this recruitment.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Adrian Ealy – Baton Rouge University Lab, LA

 

Ealy does have sincere interest in Texas, but any time you’re dealing with a U-Lab player you’ll have to battle LSU. While the Longhorns will battle hard and probably even get Ealy on campus for an official, LSU has to be the heavy favorite in this one.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Xavier Newman – DeSoto (Texas commit)

 

The newest Texas commit tells us he’s 100% solid and has closed his recruitment. That’s kind of refreshing to hear in this day and age of recruiting. While we still caution anything can happen, we aren’t getting any negative vibes from Newman at this point.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Edward Ingram – DeSoto (LSU commit)

 

Ingram wasn’t too hot on Texas before he made his pledge to LSU, and we don’t expect to see him come back around.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Walker Little – Bellaire Episcopal

 

Texas did a fantastic job hosting Little and his family for the spring game. While his recruitment still holds many twists and turns, Texas positioned themselves very well for the top lineman in the state. Stanford looms large in this one due to their academic and athletic prowess. Ole Miss has family ties to Little, and Alabama is Alabama. This is one of the big battles for Charlie Strong this year, and I like him in most of these fights.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Tyrese Robinson – McKinney Boyd (Oklahoma commit)

 

Robinson flirted with Texas a few times, but he’s strongly committed to the Sooners and their 2017 recruiting efforts. If something were to happen with Robinson, Texas would be right there to pick him up. At this point they are banking on a long recruitment that chips away at the Sooners lead.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Will Farrar – Richmond Travis

 

Farrar visited Texas a few weeks ago, and we were told it went well for Texas. The big man seems to be slowing the process down which goes against a belief he would move on to his next commitment quickly. Texas sits in a strong position, but if A&M offers it could get tough.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Chuck Filiaga – Aledo

 

Filiaga is moving from California to the north Texas powerhouse program, which bodes well for the Longhorns in this recruitment. Expect some west coast flavor, along with challenges from A&M and Oklahoma.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Creed Humphrey – Shawnee, OK

 

It’s tough to get a read on Humphrey, because he hasn’t been taking interviews over the past few months. Oklahoma and Texas A&M have also offered, but the idea we get talking to people behind the scenes is that Texas is the strongest candidate in the state to win his commitment. Never count out the Sooners for an Oklahoma kid, but this relationship goes back to Matt Mattox’s time at Tulsa.

 

 

 

Offensive Lineman – Grayson Reed – Cy Creek (Texas A&M Commit)

 

Once considered the run away leaders for Reed, Texas lost out on a battle with A&M for the versatile lineman. There could still be some movement here if Texas gets him back on campus, but Grayson is pretty serious about his commitment, and he doesn’t intend to de-commit.

 

 

 

Defensive End – Taquon Graham – Temple

 

He will announce his decision on May 27th, and I will be surprised if it isn’t Texas. Graham bonded with the staff quickly, and he’s close with Davion Curtis and Kobe Boyce. Graham is the top pass rushing end in the state, so that means a big win at a need position if they pull it off.

 

 

 

Defensive End – Lagaryonn Carson – Liberty-Eylau (Texas commit)

 

He’s committed to Texas and recruiting hard for the Longhorns. While anything can change in recruiting, Carson looks locked in at this point.

 

 

 

Defensive End – Robert Beal – Norcross, GA

 

He named Texas his leader after defecting from Notre Dame, but Texas will have to battle to take a prospect from deep in the heart of SEC country. Things will get interesting if Texas can get him on campus this year, and if they do I like their chances.

 

 

 

Defensive End – Bryan Jones – Baton Rouge Madison Prep

 

Jones is the teammate of Texas signee Malcolm Roach, and while that might work in their favor we hear that LSU carries too much weight. The Tigers have yet to offer, but if they do we believe he will shut it down.

 

 

 

Defensive End – LaBryan Ray – Madison, AL

 

Texas extended an offer to Ray last week, but you don’t need me to tell you how difficult it will be to win an Alabama kid away from the Tide.

 

 

 

Defensive End – K’Lavon Chaisson – North Shore

 

Chaisson is receptive to the Texas recruiting pitch, but LSU, Baylor, and Texas A&M are probably in front of the Longhorns early on.

 

 

 

Defensive Tackle – Marvin Wilson – Bellaire Episcopal

 

Wilson is the crown jewel at the position for Texas. He wants to see wins and progress from the Longhorns, because his relationship with the staff is strong. Texas sits behind Alabama, LSU, and Florida State for his services early on. They are probably even with Texas A&M as far as in state options go, and they can make their way up his list with a good year.

 

 

 

Defensive Tackle – Damion Daniels – Bishop Dunne

 

There’s not a lot to report on Daniels at this point. He’s picking up offers just about every day, but he hasn’t talked much about how his recruitment is going. He’s probably a strong lean to Oklahoma State where his brother plays, but it doesn’t seem that Texas is very involved early on.

 

 

 

Linebacker – Baron Browning – Kennedale

 

Everyone wants to know where Browning is going, and the top player in the state is playing things close to the vest. At this point we’d guess that Texas, TCU, and Oklahoma are the strong players for him. Outside programs like LSU and Alabama are a threat as well, but this one has the feel of a regional recruitment early on. Browning didn’t make it to Austin for the spring game due to transportation complications, and he showed up on TCU’s campus that very day. The bottom line is Texas sits in a good position going into the summer for the freakish linebacker.

 

 

 

Linebacker – Anthony Hines – Plano East

 

Hines is a top target for Texas as they look to find a dynamic inside backer. They don’t get much more dynamic than Hines, and Texas has been on him for quite some time. Charlie Strong and Malik Jefferson are big influences for Hines, but Oklahoma is also a threat for the most recruited prospect in the nation.

 

 

 

Linebacker – Levi Jones – Austin Westlake

 

At first sight we thought Texas would be a shoe in for the local product, but we hear that they actually have quite the battle on their hands. Sources tell us that the brother of Cayleb Jones has his eye on some other schools. Texas has Sam Ehlinger and Breckyn Hager on their side, but those two will have to put in overtime from what we understand.

 

 

 

Linebacker – Dylan Moses – IMG Academy

 

Moses still has Texas tops on his list, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Alabama, LSU, or Florida State out in front when we get to the fall. Texas will most likely get a visit, and if they are smart they will want to get the last visit. Moses has a lot of love for Charlie Strong, and Texas will put up a good fight in this one. It’s still difficult to see Texas coming out on top in this one.

 

 

 

DB – Kobe Boyce – Lake Dallas (Texas commit)

 

Boyce is locked in for Texas, and he’s recruiting for the Horns in DFW circles. Boyce is pot committed to Texas and the DBU legacy.

 

 

 

DB – Jeff Okudah – South Grand Prairie

 

The Longhorns did a good job to get back in this race, but they have a ways to go before they are in a comfortable position. Okudah will be stopping by campus in the next few months to discuss plans for him within the Texas defense. Okudah wants to play in a flex position like Jalen Ramsey at Florida State. If Texas can show they have a plan for how to play the unique prospect and win some games they might be able to climb back to the top. For now this feels like a battle between LSU, Ohio State, and Alabama.

 

 

 

DB – Grant Delpit – Lamar

 

Delpit announced a top 10 this week and Texas wasn’t in it. While I’m sure they will continue to pursue, it doesn’t look like this one will happen.

 

 

 

DB – Chevin Calloway – Bishop Dunne

 

Calloway announced that Texas was back in the race for him after visiting for the Texas spring game. The problem with this recruitment is the lapse in communication between Texas and Calloway for long periods. If they want him, they need to get out and see him this spring to show him how much they like him.

 

 

 

DB – Kary Vincent – Port Arthur Memorial

 

He’s expressed a real interest in Texas, but he hasn’t been on campus yet to see them. Texas A&M offered recently, and with that being his father’s alma mater they obviously have a strong link. Baylor is also in it due to his friendship with Kam Martin.

 

 

 

DB – Derrick Tucker – Manvel

 

Tucker has always shown Texas love, but he hasn’t been on campus much this year. We get the feeling if he had to decide today it would be Texas, but a source told us Houston is a very real player. Tucker likes the idea of playing in his home city and staying close to the family.

 

 

 

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In the coming months we will have the release of our 2018 rankings, and we will also release a large recruiting primer on the 2017 class. For now we will keep an eye on spring evaluations, as this is the time when more offers will go out.