Burnt Ends - 8/17

[HornSports Staff]

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’s been a long, hot summer for Steve Patterson. At every turn it seemed an outlet was vilifying him – the tennis center, privileges in the athletic dining hall, team travel to away games, interaction with important boosters – journalists have uncovered and alleged all manner of unsavory things about UT’s athletic director.

For frame of reference, Patterson approved alcohol sales at football games and signed contracts with Torchy’s Tacos and Pluckers to build chains inside the stadium for gameday. Fans met all of that with decided indifference. But when UT announced a no re-entry/exit policy, there was plenty of publicity and pitchforks to go ‘round.

Just how bad are things?

Over the last two weeks, several major donors conducted an informal straw poll of “the money” that asked whether or not Steve Patterson had their support. The result, as we were told, was a very tenuous “yes”. In fact, let’s call it “probation” because that’s the term that was used in our conversation.

We met the news with indifference until we found out that the University was “well aware of it [the poll].” Evidently the donors reached out to multiple cities and across state lines by phone in the interest of fielding a majority opinion.

The popular line of thinking is that Patterson needs Charlie Strong’s football team to win, and do it soon. Having heard this development, we’re not sure that even W’s can save Patterson if he continues on his current path.

We asked our contact to sum it up. This is how he left things:

“At this point, the big money that counts is on board with him [Patterson].  If Texas starts winning and making more profits, they will erect a statue to him.”

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Last week we published an interview with KJ Sails – a relatively unknown defensive back from Florida. In a continued effort to leave no stone unturned in Florida. Charlie Strong turned up another unheralded name…

Enter Shemar Smith a two star prospect from Miami (Jackson HS) who has been turning heads this summer since receiving an offer from Texas. Smith looks like an ideal fit at OLB in Bedford’s defensive schemes.

The Dade County Defensive Player of the Year is an underrated player who has the ability to create explosive power in an instant’s notice. With 18 sacks as a junior, he could represent an opportunity for Texas to steal more Florida talent.

As a prospect that isn’t well known to many Longhorn fans, we caught up with him to get a read on his recruitment and where things stand with the Horns:

Have you decided which game you’re coming to for your visit to Austin?

SS: Oklahoma State game on Sept. 26.

Who have you had the most contact with of the UT coaches?

SS: I hit coach Vaughn up once every week.

What about players – any chatting with Malik Jefferson, or Shane Buechele?

SS: No players but I've been in contact with Charlie Strong.

Being from Florida, are there coaches telling you to play close to home? What sorts of negative things have other coaches said about Texas?

SS: No other coach stated anything negative about Texas.

Shakespeare put it best when he wrote, “…men of few words are the best men." Shemar definitely read King Henry V.

Even though Shemar didn’t tip his hand, all signs point to the Longhorns being in the lead at this time.

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We also checked in with 2016 OL commit Tope Imade. Offensive line prospect are getting scarce in Texas, so went straight to the source to get the latest on UT’s efforts:

What are the coaches telling you as of now?

TI: They aren’t telling me anything really, just checking in from time 2 time.

What do you want to study at UT?

TI: I don't even know anymore. I want to major in something fun, that I like to do, that has a good salary.

Have the coaches given you a target weight to reach before you get on campus?

TI: Yes, 315.

What do you think of Coach Wickline?

TI: He's a great guy, he can get me to where I want to go.

Who else do you think will be joining you in the OL class come signing day?

TI: Jean , Okafor.

How much contact have you had with Shane Buechele or any current player?

TI: I haven't talked to any commits since I've committed... we r too busy recruiting to talk to each other cause we already know where we r going.

Is there any doubt in your mind that you'll end up a Longhorn when it's all said and done?

TI: No doubts here, sir!

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2017 Elkins DB/LB Kenneth Murray visited Austin for the Under the Lights camp in July.  After UTL, the Houston-area defender said he felt that Charlie Strong was close to offering, and the Longhorns were sitting high on his list. 

We checked in with Murray to touch on recruiting and his upcoming junior season.  Murray told us nothing new is going on in his recruitment, and he’s taking this time to focus on the upcoming high school season: 

“I haven’t planned any visits really but I know I definitely will be visiting UofH for a game and Texas for a game.  I don’t have any definite dates but I’ll for sure visit those two this season.”

 Murray stays in contact with the Texas staff and says they have talked back and forth about visiting sometime this season.  As for his high school team, Murray has some high expectations going into the season:

“We’re looking great. We will have one of the best defenses in the state with eight starters coming back.  Our offense is good, we have a lot of playmakers that not many people know about yet.” 

Murray is the type of big bodied, versatile defender that Charlie Strong has shown interest in previously, so we will definitely track his recruitment throughout this season. An official offer from UT would represent a big step for both them and Murray.

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Last week the Longhorn faithful got their hopes up by a premature report that the NCAA cleared 2015 tight end signee Devonaire Clarington. Those hopes were quickly dashed when multiple outlets refuted the report. Although the report was quickly squashed, we reached out to multiple sources and can say with confidence that a resolution should be coming soon. 

It’s worth noting that in those conversations, we were told that Clarington was notified that a decision could be made over the past few weeks. As everyone now knows, nothing materialized on Clarington’s case. 

The investigation in question is centered on Clarington’s ACT score which came out higher than his academic performance indicated.  Charlie Strong was optimistic earlier in the summer that Clarington would be joining the team, but we are told that no one has any clue what the outcome might be at this time. 

If Clarington were to be cleared, he could become the dynamic receiving threat the Horns have been seeking at TE for years, but the vibe that we are getting from sources is that any contribution from him should be considered found money.

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We’ll wrap this edition up with a few quotes from various folks at team practices…

• Texas player on Shiro Davis

“That boy is mean when he steps between the lines. He’s more physical this year too. A switch flipped for him when the seniors left – he knows it’s his turn. It’s in his attitude. I’m glad I don’t go up against him!”

• Team source on the freshmen playing defense

“They line up wrong. They run to the wrong spot. They miss plays. They’re freshmen. … but they do all that at a speed that didn’t exist out here last year. They might be in the wrong place but they’re playing fast and without fear, and that covers up a lot of mistakes.”

• Texas player on Patrick Vahe

[laughing] “He’s a strange dude, man! That boy is happy. Like, all the time. Then he goes out to work with that grin and just kills it. I mean, kills it. He’s out there workin’ and maulin’…and smiling the whole time. He must really like what he does…he should too, because he’s good at it.”

• Three different players all described Connor Williams as a “hard worker.” One elaborated, saying, “When you watch him on film, it seems like he never gets anything wrong.”

• When we told a team source how Shiro Davis was described to us, we got an interesting answer: â€œIt’s Brick [Haley]. Ever since coach got here, Shiro’s been a new player.”

 

[java]

Glad to hear that about Shiro. Now let's get Ridgeway out there and the Freshman going at Mach speed. We will be good.

Hook 'em!

 

[primal defense]

Patterson's job should be separate from if we win this year. If Charlie does well we won't need another football coaching hire for a while. If CS doesn't do the job then Patterson made the wrong choice.

They should make a new position for Patterson.  We could appoint him as the University of Texas ambassador to Dubai. We can send him to Dubai and he can spread the message to everyone in the Middle East to become Texas Longhorn fans. Instead of all the fighting with each other, they can unite to hate the aggies.

 

[BevoBlake]

I liked the bit about the freshman. No candy coating their mistakes but giving undeniable props. That's what you want to see at this stage. 

 

[streettopeschel]

Confused. One paragraph says 'even wins may not save him...' Another says wins would get him a statue. ???

 

[primal defense]

• Texas player on Patrick Vahe

[laughing] “He’s a strange dude, man! That boy is happy. Like, all the time. Then he goes out to work with that grin and just kills it. I mean, kills it. He’s out there workin’ and maulin’…and smiling the whole time. He must really like what he does…he should too, because he’s good at it.â€

• Three different players all described Connor Williams as a “hard worker.†One elaborated, saying, “When you watch him on film, it seems like he never gets anything wrong.â€

Good and important news about two of our OL recruits. We need a dominate OL for the future.

 

[HornSports Staff]

Confused. One paragraph says 'even wins may not save him...' Another says wins would get him a statue. ???

1. The margin for error is that thin.

2. The 2nd part (the quote) also identifies revenue/bottom line as a key criteria for performance. "The money" understands the money. If Patterson manages to make YE statements improve, the big money will respect it (because most of them understand & appreciate it).

 

[doc longhorn]

1. The margin for error is that thin.

2. The 2nd part (the quote) also identifies revenue/bottom line as a key criteria for performance. "The money" understands the money. If Patterson manages to make YE statements improve, the big money will respect it (because most of them understand & appreciate it).

I have preached this ad nauseam.  The UT fanbase is and always has been under the illusion that the UT administration is concerned about their welfare and fan enjoyment.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

As a political organization it is constantly spending money - and lots of it.  Therefore it is constantly trying to find ways to generate profits.  Just like the bloodsuckers in congress.

The powers that be LOVE what Patterson is doing.  Hell, they mandate it.

Where he gets into trouble is when he snubs the usual entitled actors.  That's all.

 

[streettopeschel]

I have preached this ad nauseam. The UT fanbase is and always has been under the illusion that the UT administration is concerned about their welfare and fan enjoyment. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As a political organization it is constantly spending money - and lots of it. Therefore it is constantly trying to find ways to generate profits. Just like the bloodsuckers in congress.

The powers that be LOVE what Patterson is doing. Hell, they mandate it.

Where he gets into trouble is when he snubs the usual entitled actors. That's all.

I don't think anybody is under the illusion you reference.

 

[TeamMayhall]

ðŸ®ðŸ®ðŸ® Good Info guys

 

[TeamMayhall]

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[HornSports Staff]

If Flowers & Perkins stay healthy, Vahe's biggest contribution might be to provide quality depth on the interior of the line (making the starters better throughout all 4 Q's).

Where decisions get interesting is if Vahe at OG is better than Hutchins at OT....don't look for that decision to be considered before nonconference play concludes.

 

[HornEsch]

I love Vahe's attitude. He may end up being a great one, from what we are hearing.

 

[Will Baizer]

I love Vahe's attitude. He may end up being a great one, from what we are hearing.

For Vahe to be one of the greats or even there this year he needs to work on his pass rushing. From what I saw in one on one pass blocking drills he couldn't stand up against guys like Poona Ford (who Bedford loooooves) and the other DTs. Him and especially Tristan Nickelson need to work on that.

 

[doc longhorn]

One of your better Burnt Ends, HS.

 

[HornEsch]

For Vahe to be one of the greats or even there this year he needs to work on his pass rushing. From what I saw in one on one pass blocking drills he couldn't stand up against guys like Poona Ford (who Bedford loooooves) and the other DTs. Him and especially Tristan Nickelson need to work on that.

I would expect that as a Freshman. Pass blocking is one of the hardest things in football, not just OL, to learn properly. With his attitude and the fact that he has one of the best teachers in the game coaching is position, I expect that he will grow in this area.

You are right though, to be a great, that is a extremely important area to work on. Which is why I made sure to use the word "may". 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

I love Vahe's attitude. He may end up being a great one, from what we are hearing.

Vahe's name was all over today's press conference. In a good way.

 

[primal defense]

Last week the Longhorn faithful got their hopes up by a premature report that the NCAA cleared 2015 tight end signee Devonaire Clarington. Those hopes were quickly dashed when multiple outlets refuted the report. Although the report was quickly squashed, we reached out to multiple sources and can say with confidence that a resolution should be coming soon. 

It’s worth noting that in those conversations, we were told that Clarington was notified that a decision could be made over the past few weeks. As everyone now knows, nothing materialized on Clarington’s case. 

The investigation in question is centered on Clarington’s ACT score which came out higher than his academic performance indicated.  Charlie Strong was optimistic earlier in the summer that Clarington would be joining the team, but we are told that no one has any clue what the outcome might be at this time. 

If Clarington were to be cleared, he could become the dynamic receiving threat the Horns have been seeking at TE for years, but the vibe that we are getting from sources is that any contribution from him should be considered found money.

I can understand the NCAA wanting to make sure that someone didn't cheat on their ACT and DEVO shouldn't be cleared if he cheated on his exam. However, I don't see anyway that they can prove it unless there is video or some witness saying or showing he cheated. Unless there's proof then it's doesn't sound right that he's not approved.

I believe he better off at Texas. He will get plenty of help in his studies and the coaches will make sure he works hard on his grades or he'll be off the team.