Burnt Ends – 09/29/2016

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.

 

 

 

+++++

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

+++++

 

 

 

Let’s start things off with some team notes coming off the bye week:

 

‘”

n”.self::process_list_items(“‘.str_replace(‘

‘, ”, ‘

 

[*]A source tells us just about everyone is healed up and feeling better as they enter game week. The bye was a much-needed opportunity for the banged up guys to get some rest and recover from nagging injuries.

 

[*]We talked to more folks regarding possible defensive changes, and the alterations mainly appear to be on the personnel front. The usual names like Malcolm Roach, Breckyn Hager, and Brandon Jones got more run with the first team this week.

 

[*]The most important thing we heard and continue to hear is that the mood of the team and coaches is upbeat. The Longhorns know they can erase the bad taste of the Cal loss with strong performances against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. The team knows that they have a shot to win the conference this season, and a sense of urgency is there with questions about the coaching staff.

 

[*]Finally, we’ve heard the offensive staff used the bye week to do some more install. They were also able to get extended looks at some players currently in backup roles.

 

‘).'”).”n

“‘

 

++++

 

 

 

We expected a pretty quiet Sunday, but when LSU fired Les Miles and Cam Cameron our phones started ringing. While we went to checking on how things were developing, the Texas commits swung into action working the phones on LSU commits. We thought we’d give you a breakdown of how things could unfold in this recruiting string now that there is considerable instability on the bayou.

 

 

 

Marvin Wilson – The Bellaire Episcopal defensive tackle had LSU high on his list, but he told us a few weeks ago that they would be out of contention if Miles was let go. Texas still needs to win to close on the top DT in the state, but this certainly doesn’t hurt.

 

 

 

Kary Vincent – Many people think Texas finished second when the speedy Port Arthur Memorial corner chose LSU, and we expect them to go all in for him. Vincent already said he planned to take an official visit to Texas, and he has a great relationship with the Texas coaches.

 

 

 

Mannie Netherly – The former Texas A&M commit visited Texas in the spring before ultimately committing to LSU. The Crosby wide receiver is close with Texas commit Sam Ehlinger, and he’s a fan of the new wide open offense. It’s tough to say where he would fit in to the Texas class, but he could be an option if they miss out on other targets.

 

 

 

Grant Delpit – The IMG safety flirted briefly with Texas in the spring before focusing in on LSU. We were told this was one of the first players Texas commits reached out to when they heard the news. We’ll have to monitor the situation, because at this point there’s no good handle on how Delpit feels about Texas.

 

 

 

K’Lavon Chaisson – The biggest competition for Chaisson appeared to be LSU, but obviously this impacts the LSU side of his recruitment. We were already hearing good things about Chaisson to Texas, and this will only make things stronger.

 

 

 

Dylan Moses – A couple of weeks ago we talked about how things were turning behind the scenes between Moses and Texas. Our original thought was that LSU loomed large, but the biggest domino in his recruitment has fallen. Moses had a long standing relationship with Les Miles, and he was the primary reason LSU was still strong in this race.

 

 

 

Edward Ingram – Texas is still recruiting the Desoto offensive lineman, and they have his teammate Xavier Newman committed. After speaking to sources this weekend we were told Ingram has no interest in the Longhorns.

 

 

 

Austin Deculus – The Cy-Fair offensive lineman committed to LSU early on, and Texas was never really involved in his recruitment. Sources told us that Texas A&M would probably lead if he opened things up, but it’s worth getting involved.

 

 

 

+++++

 

 

 

Taquon Graham has been pretty quiet since he committed to Texas, but we had the chance to speak with him following a victory over Waco University. Graham missed the first few weeks of the season due to injury, and the coaches held him out of action this week to make sure he was ready for the rest of the season.

 

 

 

Graham pledged to the Longhorns following the victory over Notre Dame, and he talked about what went into that decision. “I called them before the game ever started and committed right then and there. I was just really was like sick of the recruiting game and everything. I just wanted to stay home, and stay close to my mom. It was just a little childhood dream of mine to play in Texas and represent my city.”

 

 

 

Graham is a versatile defensive lineman capable of playing multiple positions, and he’s forged a strong relationship with Texas defensive line coach Brick Haley. “He’s kind of teetering back and forth between strong side and the fox. I really don’t know, but I really like Coach Haley. He’s really cool to me, I just vibe with him.”

 

 

 

Graham has some strong connections to Texas in the form of Sterlin Gilbert, and former high school teammate Davion Curtis. Both Gilbert and Curtis were integral pieces of his recruitment, and he speaks with Coach Gilbert on a semi-regular basis. “I actually saw coach Gilbert today during the (athletic) period today. I saw “Q” (Curtis) last week, and even the week before that he came down. I talk to “Q” often.”

 

 

 

Graham is a future piece for a struggling Longhorn defense, and he detailed what he’s looking for the rest of the season. “I just want to see improvement. I know everything is going to get better. The last game didn’t scare me at all. Everyone is going to have a bump in the road. I just want to see them play how they should play and like I know they can play.”

 

 

 

Graham says he plans to be back on campus at the next home game. Taquon’s mother had a big voice in his recruitment, and she told us she liked the honesty from Charlie Strong. “When I talked to Coach Strong he was true to his word,” Graham’s mother told us. “He just told him to visit as many colleges as he could and when he’s ready to come he’d be there. He never talked down to any other colleges. I visit a lot with other coaches and colleges and they didn’t have nice things to say about UT or any other colleges.”

 

 

 

Graham is excited to tell others he’s a Longhorn, and he’s firmly committed to playing for Texas.

 

 

 

+++++

 

 

 

Cedar Hill vs. Desoto is one of the marquee matchups every year in the Dallas area. How big was it this year? The fire marshal closed the gates on about two hundred people because the stadium was at capacity. Coaches from Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech were in attendance to take in the wide array of talent on the field including Texas commit Xavier Newman. We spoke with Newman following their big win to get the latest on his injury recovery and recruitment.

 

 

 

Newman and company provided a rock solid line for a powerful Desoto offense, and he was buzzing after the win. “It was a great game. Being my first game back I think I played well.” Newman was held out of action at the beginning of the season due to a knee injury he suffered during scrimmages. He told us the knee is in good condition and back to full strength.

 

 

 

Desoto found success running the ball downhill on the Longhorns, and Newman described his favorite type of offense. “I love running the ball. Running inside zone with tempo.” Another person who loved seeing it should be Texas coach Matt Mattox who was in attendance. Newman will be an interior lineman at the next level, and he showed strong skills to his future coach.

 

 

 

Newman was one of many attendees at the Notre Dame game, and he told us about the experience. “I loved it. Nobody was being selfish. Everyone was getting their fair share. They were rotating two quarterbacks and none of their quarterbacks were complaining. They came together as a team and finished it off in the end.” Newman also enjoyed the atmosphere in DKR to open the season. “Crazy,” he said when asked to describe it. “The fanbase was crazy. I couldn’t even hear the person next to me. I can’t wait to get to Austin.”

 

 

 

In the summer Newman was looking strongly at Oklahoma but since then his wandering eye has died down a bit. Outside of Texas, Newman has an official visit planned to Colorado where two of his teammates are committed. Newman will also officially visit Austin on December 14^th.

 

 

 

Newman is part of the group text among commits, and he told us they are working on recruiting others to Austin. “One that we’re working on is Walker Little.” Newman told us he spoke with Little for a bit at the game, and that Little really enjoyed his experience. “He was thrilled at the end of it.”

 

 

 

While official visits can always throw a wrench into things, we’d consider Newman strongly committed to Texas. The drama that once surrounded this race appears to be dying down.