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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It’s our last edition of Burnt Ends for 2015 and my how time has flown. Players arrived in Florida for the Under Armour All American Game today which means recruiting news will start to heat up again after a quiet two weeks following the dead period. This week we will release the final edition of 2016 Texas Top 50. In the spirit of Christmas giving we decided to give you a preview of six newcomers to the list.
Jett Duffey – QB – Mansfield Lake Ridge
Duffey and Lake Ridge captivated high school fans in the DFW area this year. Duffey led one of the most explosive offenses in the state en route to an undefeated run leading up to the state championship team. Unfortunately Duffey was injured and Lake Ridge just had too many obstacles to overcome. Duffey is a bit on the smallish side, but he shows great leadership, command of the offense, and a blend of arm strength, accuracy, and dynamic running ability. Duffey is committed to Texas Tech and is already adept at operating an air raid offense with precision.
Obi Eboh – CB – Southlake Carroll
The Texas commit was good enough to edge his way into the rankings with his play on the boundary for the Dragons. Eboh was rarely tested, and when he was he stood up to the challenge. Eboh is a long, physical corner with versatility to play corner or safety. He’s strong at the point of attack and is at his best in zone coverage reading and reacting. Eboh has a high football IQ and is revered as a leader for his team.
Denzel Okafor – OL – Lewisville
Okafor was one of two new additions to the list that benefitted from a stellar senior season. The athletic Texas commit showed great improvement and was recognized by several other scouting services with a rise in rankings. Okafor was a big addition for the Texas class going from a high upside project to a prospect takings steps closer to his high end ability. What once looked like a thin haul on the offensive line is shaping up to be a sneaky good class.
Andrew Fitzgerald – DE – Flower Mound Marcus
Like Okafor, Fitzgerald had a tremendous senior season, which paid dividends in his recruiting profile. Though he’s not an explosive edge rusher, Fitz shows off a great overall skillset and isn’t short on athletic ability. His ability to play the strong side along with his advanced frame make Fitzgerald a candidate to contribute early in Austin.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey – ATH – Southlake Carroll
Humphrey had the production last season to warrant a spot on the list, but there were some questions we had about his frame and speed. As a man with no defined position he proved to be a difficult evaluation and found himself outside of the top 50. This season Humphrey filled out a bit and showed off his versatility as a legitimate receiver prospect. His production has always been off the charts, but Humphrey was a star player on a talented Southlake offense.
Parrish Cobb – DB – Waco La Vega
Of all the late risers this season, Cobb had the most impressive senior film. The Oklahoma commit has always teetered on the bubble of the top 50, but his senior season cemented him as a legit contender for the honors of top corner in the state. Cobb has explosive speed with fluid hips and can play both ways though he will most likely make his money on the defensive side of the ball. In our final ranking, Cobb flew up the list past several DB’s who were well established all season.
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In this week’s edition of the signing day forecast we give you our take on the crystal ball to track the top targets on the Texas board. Each week we will give you a look at how these recruitments are trending and give you our prediction and a confidence rating based on a scale of 0-5.
Running Backs
Devwah Whaley – I did some checking and things still appear to be on track for Texas to land their top target at running back. Whaley intends to announce his decision this Saturday at the Under Armour All-American game. A source indicates things look very good for Texas though it is worth mentioning that the Arkansas side feels good about this one as well.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 4.5 (Last week: 4.5)
Kyle Porter – Sources indicate Texas would be interested in taking two running backs this class so the numbers shouldn’t play a factor here. The issue would be if Porter sees himself as a fit for the new Texas offense. Since I am unclear as to how the Texas coaches see him fitting I’m dropping my confidence level slightly.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week 3)
Darius Anderson – The George Ranch standout has long been a favorite of this site. We’ve evaluated him higher than most throughout the recruiting period and he didn’t disappoint this season. He holds a Texas offer and recently de-committed from Missouri. It’s unclear how interested Texas is in pursuing him, but if they were to get involved we like their chances. It’s still too early to see how this one shakes out.
Prediction: Unknown (Last Week: Not listed)
Confidence Level: Unknown (Last week: Not listed)
Wide Receiver
Lil’Jordan Humphrey – Humphrey cut his list to 2 last week, so Texas and California will face off to win the superb DFW athlete. I still think this one ends up going the Longhorns way if they pursue hard enough
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 4 (Last week: 4)
Tight End
Irvin Smith – Smith is still committed to A&M, but most in the know have the Aggies running third in the race behind Texas and Alabama. Texas is in good position with Peyton Aucoin recruiting his high school teammate, but Alabama is starting to make a strong push.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week: 3)
Jamal Pettigrew – I’m close to removing him from the board completely barring a visit in January. He’s pretty firm to LSU.
Prediction: LSU (Last week: LSU)
Confidence level: 5 (Last week: 4.5)
Offensive Line
Jean Delance – The Longhorns have a chance to lock down an elite tackle option if they can knock his official visit out of the park. Delance is possibly announcing this weekend at the Under Armour All American game which sends some confusing signs considering he hasn’t taken an official to Austin. I think proximity to home wins out, but there is a lot of talk about LSU and Michigan becoming legitimate options.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3.5 (Last week: 3.5)
JP Urquidez – I don’t know that Texas is seriously involved here. I’d say we know more after the dead period.
Prediction: Baylor (Last week: Baylor)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 3)
Zach Shackleford – This is another one we will know more about after the dead period. Texas has a big need for the Shack Attack and should put the full court press on the interior mauler.
Prediction: Kansas State (Last week: Kansas State)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week: 2)
Patrick Hudson – As has been the case from the start, there is a lot of confusion as to whom Hudson will visit in January. He’s never been one for the recruiting spotlight and it seems like the longer this goes on, the better it fares for Baylor.
Prediction: Baylor (Last week: Baylor)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 2)
Defensive Line
Jordan Elliott – The story remains the same here. Win the battle for the group of Houston prospects and the battle for Elliott gets easier. Texas has to get him back on campus in January.
Prediction: Michigan (Last week: Michigan)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 3)
Kelvin Lucky – The Horns need to get Lucky on campus and sell him on becoming the uber athletic edge prospect Charlie Strong has been looking for. We still like their position here.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2.5 (Last week: 2.5)
Tyrell Chavis – This one seems to be slipping away, and with the loss of Hassan Ridgeway it has suddenly become a very important recruitment.
Prediction: Auburn (Last week: Auburn)
Confidence level: 3.5 (Last week: 3)
Stephon Taylor – The Horns are fighting off TCU and LSU for the services of Taylor who could be an instant impact guy. This one should go down the wire.
Prediction: TCU (Last week: TCU)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week: 2)
D’Andre Christmas-Giles – DCG is pretty quiet, and he’s suddenly become an elite prospect. Our sources say Texas is in better position than most believe, but I’ve never gotten warm feelings in this race.
Prediction: LSU (Last week: LSU)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week: 2)
Marcell Southall – All signs point to Norman. This is another we are close to dropping from the board.
Prediction: Oklahoma (Last week: Oklahoma)
Confidence level: 5 (Last week: 5)
Mike Williams – Once again, it will depend on whether Williams gets his acceptance to Stanford but if he doesn’t we believe the Longhorns will benefit. Williams will visit Texas in January. I actually like the Longhorns chances if Williams does make it to Austin.
Prediction: Stanford (Last week: Stanford)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week 3)
Linebacker
Dontavious Jackson – D-Jack keeps it close to the vest, but he will take an unofficial visit to Texas in January after using his officials on out of state options. Texas needs to just keep doing what they are doing and then turn the heat up in the closing weeks.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 2.5)
Jeffrey McCulloch – Stability issues at Texas and A&M have the Shark seriously considering Notre Dame and Stanford. Florida is a player as well, but McCulloch will be on campus for the big visit weekend in January. Texas needs to ease his concerns about stability and close on one of the elite players in state.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas A&M)
Confidence level: 2.5 (Last week: 2.5)
Erick Fowler – Where once we strongly considered him a candidate to flip, it seems like those chances are slipping away.
Prediction: LSU (Last week: LSU)
Confidence level: 4 (Last week: 4)
Defensive back
Deontay Anderson – Texas trails Ole Miss, and unless Reggie Hemphill can do some work on Anderson during his visit, the standout safety looks bound for Oxford.
Prediction: Ole Miss (Last week: Ole Miss)
Confidence level: 4 (Last week: 4)
Brandon Jones – Texas continues to chip away at the top prospect in the state, and could be in position to pull off another steal of a guy who has been slated to A&M for nearly two years.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2.5 (Last week: 2)
Eric Cuffee – Cuffee pushed back his announcement date which fares well for Texas. His official visit went very well, and Texas is on the upswing here.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3.5 (Last week: 3)
Chris Brown – Brown is seeing some last minute interest from schools like Florida and South Carolina. Michigan also looms large here but we are going to stick with Texas.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2.5 (Last week: 2.5)
