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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The Prime 21 camp held in Dallas last weekend showcased some of the top talent in the 2018 class. HornSports was on hand for the event, and we got to speak with a number of prospects.
If you don’t know the name Caden Sterns, get familiar with it. The 2018 Cibolo Steele athlete plays both sides of the ball, but he seems destined to star at defensive back at the next level. We spoke with Sterns before he turned in a very strong performance at Prime 21 to get his thoughts on recruiting and the Longhorns.
Sterns recently started working with “Flight Skillsâ€, one of the top defensive back skills trainers in the state. Coach Flight works with athletes such as Kobe Boyce, Josh Thompson, Tanner McAllister, and came in and got some work in before this campâ€. When we talked to Sterns he was pretty hyped up about the competition. He told us he was looking to face the top guys in the state. “There’s a lot of great competition here, you’re talking about the best of the best. I’m just looking to get better and see where I stand among them.†Sterns holds many offers, but the in state powers aren’t onto him. Texas has reached out to Sterns with an invitation to Under the Lights, and he will be in attendance.
Most schools will have to overcome the fact that Sterns has a big link to Oklahoma State. His brother Jordan is a first team Pre-Season All Big 12 defensive back with the Pokes, and Caden is very familiar with the program. “Not just him being my brother and going there, but they are a big factor just from me knowing the campus and going up there. The coaches are wonderful coaches, they are a great school.â€
Sterns told us that Steele is looking to win another state championship this year, and he will be a big cog in that machine. Sterns is the type of athlete that could win an offer instantly with a strong performance at Under the Lights, so it will be interesting to see what follows.
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Texas offered Sam Ehlinger around this time last year, but thus far they have yet to zero in on any 2018 quarterback targets. The Longhorns are establishing a pecking order, and we got to saw two of those guys in action at the Prime 21 camp. Denton Ryan signal caller Spencer Sanders has a chance to be the top quarterback in the state when all is said and done. The dual threat star is extremely impressive both throwing and running the ball, and he’s already garnered attention from several national powers. We caught up with Sanders to get the latest on what he’s hearing from the Texas program.
Sanders was a standout at the Prime 21 camp, and he feels he got better just from attending. “I learned a lot today, and I think I got better. I made a lot of mistakes, and I learned the ways to fix them. Coach Jeff (Blake) helped me out a lot today.†Sanders is working on fine tuning some aspects of his game, and he told his goals as he works towards improvement. “I’m going to work on keeping my elbow up because sometimes I have a big windmill when I throw, and I want to be able to keep my eyes up and downfield.â€
Sanders holds a number of impressive offers, but the contact with Texas has been sporadic. “I hear from them every once in a while, I’ve gotten a few camp flyers and I saw them when they came by my school in the spring.†Sanders did tell us that Sterlin Gilbert and Charlie Williams have reached out a few times on twitter and extended him an invitation for Under the Lights. “I want to try to make it, but I’m actually going out of town. I’m going to Oregon, not to visit but just to vacation in Oregon.†While Sanders doesn’t seem too hot on the ‘Horns right now, he did tell us an offer would really help that situation. “If Texas did offer, I’d get myself out there a lot more and show myself on their campus.†Sanders grew up bouncing back and forth between Texas and Oklahoma, but he understands the cache the University of Texas has.
Of the offers Sanders has, he told us that Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech are standing out. “Really I’m showing appreciation to all the colleges that offered me. I don’t want to show any of them any individual appreciation because I like them all. I want to keep my options open, but I really do like all the colleges that have offered me and I appreciate their interest in me.â€
One thing that did pique the interest of Sanders is the new offense being installed in Austin. “I’m really interested in Baylor, and they are taking that offense from there so that’s something that really interests me and I think I could fit into.†Sanders says he plans on making his decision next year after the season, and if Texas gets involved they could land an incredibly dynamic player at the quarterback position.
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Another quarterback name to watch is 2018 Midway passer Tanner Mordecai. While he’s a bit unheralded now, he has a chance to really shoot up the rankings due to his skill as a pure passer. We caught up with Mordecai after a very strong camp performance to get to know him. “It was a good time, I had a lot of fun. I think I did good,†said Mordecai afterwards.
While the Longhorns haven’t offered Mordecai yet, they’ve definitely shown some interest. “I’ve talked to Coach Gilbert a little bit. I went to their camp in June, and he wants me to come down later this month for Under the Lights.†Mordecai said he had some conflicting plans that weekend, so he doesn’t know if he’s going to be able to make it. As for a potential offer, Mordecai told us it would be awesome if Texas came through with one. “They are the face of Texasâ€, said Mordecai. He grew up watching Colt McCoy and the Longhorns and thinks he would be a good fit for their offense. While Mordecai is a man of few words, it should be noted that we believe he’s a guy to keep an eye on for Texas.
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Yoakum (TX) DB Jordan Moore showed up at the Prime 21 camp, and the small school prospect was excited to compete against some big time talent. “I think I did good, coming in I really wasn’t nervous. I just was anxious to compete.†Jordan went up against his brother Josh in a few one on ones, and he feels he got the better of his sibling. “You know, if you’re a receiver against a DB. In order for you to win you have to break someone off or catch the ball and he did neither against me,†said Moore with a laugh.
Moore is being recruited as a corner at Texas, and he will be in attendance at Under the Lights. “I’m looking to go and show out. I’m going to go show them for the third time that I am the right guy, and that they offered the right guy.†Moore does have a decision date in mind, and it holds some significance for him. “June 17th, which is the day my older brother died.†For the next year Moore will be evaluating different offers, and he told us what will separate one school from another. “I’m looking for what feels like home. I want to see who can make me feel like I can go in there and make it feel like home. Where I’m from it’s strictly about brotherhood, and I want to go to a school that teaches brotherhood. I know for a fact Coach Strong preaches brotherhood. I know Coach Patterson preaches brotherhood. I know A&M coaches brotherhood. If I had to choose from my top three schools it would be Texas, Texas A&M, and TCU because every time I go there they make it feel like home.†TCU hasn’t offered Moore yet, but he has a feeling that the Frogs could be coming through soon.
If we had to call it right now we’d say Texas holds a slight lead over TCU for his services, and it wouldn’t totally surprise us to see him pull the trigger before his announcement date.
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Yoakum (TX) WR Joshua Moore was also in attendance, and the lanky pass catcher was good enough to give us a few minutes of his time following the camp. “I think I did ok. I’m never satisfied with my work. There were a few balls I should have caught that I didn’t, so I’m going to make sure I work my butt off now to make sure that doesn’t happen.â€
Sibling rivalry took place on the field when Josh was matched up against his brother Jordan in one on ones, and he had a different assessment of who won that battle. “Me..always.†Moore picked up some new techniques to add to his already well rounded game, and he detailed those for us. “When I come out here I just want to prove why I’m ranked as high as I am and why I have the offers I do. I want to compete with the best of the best. When I come into these camps I’m soaking up a lot of knowledge on and off the field.â€
Josh will be in Austin for Under the Lights, and he told us he’s excited to get back. “I’m looking to showcase my skills. I’m always up in Austin, and I’ve been to one of their camps, so I’m looking forward to competing with some more top prospects.†Moore also told us about his feelings on the Horns. “With my mom graduating from there it kind of gives them the edge, but you know my grandfather graduated from Houston, and my dad is a big fan of A&M. I’m giving everyone a chance, I’m just taking my time right now.â€
Moore does like the new offensive system at Texas, and he thinks that fits them. “I just want to spread the field, and be able to make plays. I want to play with someone that can get me the ball.†Moore plans to commit on June 9th of next year, which is the birthday of his twin brother and sister. He plans to visit Oklahoma on the 22nd, Texas on the 23rd, and Texas A&M on the 27th.
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We leave you with a note on a duo of corners on the Texas board. Texas commit Kobe Boyce showed up at the TCU camp last weekend, but we were told he was really there to just hang out with his friend Josh Thompson. After having a wandering eye, Boyce is starting to firm up his commitment to Texas and we were told not to worry about the TCU camp. Boyce will be at Under the Lights.
Thompson was thought to be visiting for Under the Lights. We talked to the Nacogdoches corner, and he said he wasn’t really sure but right now he doesn’t think he will. Thompson is tight with the TCU commits, and he likes the role envisioned for him in the TCU defense. Thompson is a big candidate for an offer, and if he is offered I would say things could change in his recruitment. Keep an eye on him, and keep it tuned here as we have some of the best sources when it comes to the east Texas corner.