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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With the season over and the dead period looming, we are going to focus this week on recruiting information inside Burnt Ends. We’ll talk about the current commits, targets on the board, future prospects, and some notes we picked up over the weekend. Sit back and relax, because it’s time for some ‘crootin talk.
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Let’s start with a look at the current Texas class and where each commit stands at this point. The Texas staff hit the road last week to meet with their committed guys, and we followed up on each of them.
Sam Ehlinger
Not much to be said about Sam. His season came to an end after he sustained a wrist injury, but the Westlake gunslinger is dialed in for Texas. He’s the captain of this ship both on and off the field, and he’s doing his part to recruit other players.
Josh Thompson
Thompson threw his full support behind Herman following the hire, and he received a visit from Texas offensive line coach Derek Warehime. Thompson is also a vocal recruiter in the class, and he announced on twitter today he wouldn’t accept in-home visits from any other school. TCU tried to do some negative recruiting, but we were told it wasn’t well accepted. In fact, the Texas staff all got Thompson on the phone and re-affirmed their excitement about him following that exchange.
Kobe Boyce
Boyce wavered a bit when Strong was let go, but new Texas DB coach Jason Washington put in a strong first impression. We spoke to Boyce this weekend, and he indicated that he’s solid and excited about the future. Boyce is also working on recruiting others to Texas as well.
Taquon Graham
Graham is still in the playoffs after Temple pulled off the upset against Manvel this past weekend. We spoke to him following the game, and he told us that he’s committed, but he still might take some visits. When we asked which ones he mentioned Oklahoma, TCU, and Michigan as possible destinations. Graham met with Oscar Giles last week, and Texas is supposed to return to meet with his mother again soon.
Montrell Estell
We haven’t connected with the quiet athlete from Hooks in a while, but all indications on twitter seem to be that he’s solid. In talking to a few other commits they told us they have no worries about Estell.
Damion Miller
Miller is also still solid from what we’re hearing, but it wouldn’t be a total shock to see him take a visit. We should have a better idea of where things stand once Texas names a new WR coach, but a source near Miller told us not to worry.
LaGaryonn Carson
Carson is as strong in his commitment as one could be, and he’s currently focusing finishing up school academically and qualifying for Texas.
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We checked in with some players on the Texas radar following their playoff games this past weekend. We spoke with Denton Ryan’s quarterback Spencer Sanders who told us he hasn’t heard from Texas, and he is fully committed to Oklahoma State.
Ryan’s 2017 defensive tackle Earnest Brown told us he did hear from Texas, but he’s fully committed to Northwestern and not entertaining any other schools at the moment.
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Here’s a name for the future. Roschon Johnson of Port Neches-Groves. The 2019 dynamo lit it up as a sophomore quarterback this season, and we’ve heard he’s caught the attention of Tom Herman. Herman was by PNG today as he visited the golden triangle, and we spoke to Johnson. It was a brief conversation, but Johnson told us, “If there’s any coach in the country I’d want to play for, it’s Tom Hermanâ€. We had heard that Johnson held Texas above all other schools in his mind, and if the Longhorns offer he will probably push them to the top of the list. Johnson is drawing interest from Oklahoma, and A&M offered him last week. It’s obviously very early in this one, but Texas could position themselves nicely if an offer follows.
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We’ve spent the last week talking to sources about the serious targets on the Texas board. While there is some serious optimism around the new staff, it might be too late in the game for a number of highly rated prospects. Not to say that these situations can’t be fixed, but the Horns are facing an uphill climb with some guys.
Eno Benjamin – Benjamin is waiting on a Texas offer, and the new staff is showing some interest. If Texas comes through with one we expect Benjamin to eventually be a Longhorn. Benjamin announced he’s not accepting anymore visits, and the early enrollee plans to announce at the Army All-American Game.
Toneil Carter – Texas is trying to get back in with Carter, and they have some natural links from their time at Houston. The Georgia commit is maintaining that he’s solid, but there’s some optimism inside Texas circles. Carter is pretty quiet, so we’ll have to see how it goes from here.
JK Dobbins – Everything sets up great for Dobbins here, but we’re told he’s pretty locked in to his Ohio State commitment. Texas will give it their best shot, but I’d lean towards the Buckeyes in this battle.
Omar Manning – There’s something going on here, and everyone seems to know about it. Manning altered his twitter account to remove all TCU information, and he recently followed Tom Herman. TCU is definitely worried, and they are doing an in-home with him this week. Based on some more information we picked up over the weekend we feel that a flip to Texas could be in the cards.
Charleston Rambo – The Cedar Hill receiver lit up AT&T stadium this past weekend. Rambo wasn’t in much of a mood to talk after a tough loss to DeSoto ended his high school career, but we’ve got good sources on this front. Rambo is currently committed to OU, and Texas has some work to do. That said, there are some pro-Texas folks in Rambo’s family, and the quiet playmaker always seemed intrigued with Austin. We’ll know more this week, but don’t shut the door on Texas here.
Cade Brewer – The Lake Travis TE was offered this past weekend, and we are told that Texas has a good shot. Brewer is currently committed to SMU, but he holds offers from A&M and Oklahoma. Brewer should be a perfect fit for Herman’s offense.
Walker Little – Texas did an in-home visit with Little last week, but the feedback we were given could best be described as “lukewarmâ€. The Little family had a good relationship with Charlie Strong and Matt Mattox, and they are still adjusting to the new staff. Tom Herman will go in-home this week in an effort to get back on the map with the massive tackle. Stanford holds the edge, and Ole Miss is a threat.
Grant Polley – Texas offered the Denton High offensive lineman last week, and though we haven’t been able to get in contact with him, we were told that he has some things to think about. Polley is currently committed to Colorado, but he’s close with Texas commit Kobe Boyce.
Dennis Bardwell – The Huffman Hargrave offensive lineman is a Cougar commit, but we’ve been told Texas could be reaching out to him soon. Bardwell told us he’s yet to hear from Texas, but many believe he’d be an ideal fit as an interior lineman. Bardwell told us he would have an interest in Texas if they were to offer, but he’d evaluate them just as he would any college.
K’Lavon Chaisson – The North Shore pass rusher doesn’t love the recruiting process or the media, but we’ve been given indications that Texas is in a strong position. Before Texas hired Herman, Chaisson had a top 3 of Texas, Houston, and LSU.
Marvin Wilson – If Texas is going to win over the top player in the state, they need to move quickly. Wilson did not have a reputation with anyone on the Texas staff, and we were told that Texas is slipping big time here. LSU and Ohio State seem to be the leaders.
Anthony Hines – Hines committed to A&M last week, but he will host Herman this week for an in-home visit. We don’t think anything will come of it, but there is a chance.
Baron Browning – Browning committed to Ohio State, and there will be no fireworks down the stretch. He’s a Buckeye.
Levi Jones – Levi’s dad was pretty adamant that Texas lost whatever chance they had at Levi when Strong was let go. The Ehlinger effect might get them a visit, but LSU seems to be the leader at this point.
Marqez Bimage – Brenham’s version of Malcolm Roach can play multiple positions, and he’s underrated in state. The Houston commit could be getting an offer soon, and if he does we expect him to eventually flip.
Kary Vincent Jr. – Vincent has always been a tantalizing flip opportunity, but he’s pretty locked in to LSU. The Orgeron hire really helped here.
Chevin Calloway – The staff is looking for another corner, and they went after Calloway with a visit last week. Texas has a chance down the stretch, but sources tell us Arkansas leads.
Kendall Sheffield – As HornSports first reported, Texas offered the former 5 star last week. Texas has an outside chance, but Sheffield will visit College Station this weekend. The Longhorns are playing from a serious disadvantage here.
