HornSports Staff
HornSports.com
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- Oct 20, 2013
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The point on a brisket is typically the fattiest cut. Pitmasters often trim the point and select edges off a whole brisket and return them to the smoker.
Are burnt ends tough, chewy worthless cuts of meat, or are they a heavenly bites of smoky goodness? I suppose it depends on who you ask...
Rather than discard trimmings and fat, we chose to savor all the information that flows through the site. So, sit down and help yourself to some burnt ends.
***DO NOT FORWARD***
Let’s go ahead and lead off with the story that’s at the forefront of everyone’s minds – Malik Jefferson and his pending announcement on Friday morning. First, there are a few facts that need to be covered…
1. Jefferson and his teammate DeAndre McNeal are slated to announce at 7:45am in the Poteet Auditorium. Mike Roach will be on hand for HornSports, and will be providing live updates (there will be a thread on the board, or you can follow Mike on Twitter here.)
2. No one knows with any certainty where Jefferson is going. It seems that a lot of “online insiders†seem to think he’s already made the decision to go to Texas A&M. While that very well may be Jefferson’s ultimate decision, 3 people we’ve connected with today all are of a mind that the 5* linebacker has not made up his mind yet.
With those two pieces stated, let’s cover a few interesting side angles in Jefferson’s recruitment:
When you’re the top player in Texas, college coaches will do and say most-anything to make an impression. To no surprise what we’ve been told is that most schools are “promising the world†to Jefferson and his parents.
As we’ve witnessed throughout the season, that style is the polar opposite of how Charlie Strong is running the Texas football program. Call Strong’s approach "no-nonsenseâ€, “tough loveâ€, or whatever you want, but we’re here to confirm that it’s taking deep roots in the way this staff recruits high school players too.
The two lead Texas coaches in Jefferson’s recruitment are Charlie Strong and Brian Jean-Mary. While other teams' coaches are promising the sun, moon, and stars to Jefferson, Strong and BJM have taken a much more direct approach with the young man. Someone close to Jefferson’s recruitment told us that Strong and BJM had been honest enough with Jefferson that Poteet’s star ‘backer was “confident he wasn't being woofed by either coach.â€
The next important aspect of this story is that the same source told us that Jefferson has really been impressed by the no-BS style of the Texas coaches. In fact, we’re told it went a long way with him and that the stark difference in their approach was both noted and appreciated.
Does any of that mean that Malik Jefferson is going to announce “Texas†on Friday morning? Absolutely not.
What it does mean is that points #1 and #2 above should both be re-read daily until Friday. There’s only a certain amount of legitimate inside news to report in Jefferson’s recruitment, and we believe this is the most truthful insight available.
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From talking with various contacts there’s one other interesting note concerning Malik Jefferson’s recruitment: we lied in the last section…there’s another coach besides Charlie Strong that’s taken an angle in Jefferson’s recruitment that’s different from everyone else – that coach is Art Briles.
As we just told you, most coaches are taking the opposite of Texas’ approach, and making promises to Jefferson –most of them are simply telling him what they think he wants to hear. The third choice, and the one Art Briles is using, is to bash Charlie Strong and Texas.
Specifically what we were told is that, “Briles and his [Jefferson’s] position coach spent the better part of a visit bashing Texas.â€
In the good news department, we were also told that his mother didn't believe a word the Baylor coaches said. Briles’ tactic didn't go over well with Malik or his mother, particularly since Strong was heavily criticized during the conversation. From how it was told to us, both of them [Jefferson and his mother] really like Strong and his approach to Jefferson’s recruitment, so when Baylor started in on Texas, they instantly lost credibility.
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Ever since one door slammed shut on Mack Brown’s backside and another was opened for the hiring of Charlie Strong, the discussion of donor input and influence on the Texas football program has remained a hot topic. While you can be certain the well-known donors are keeping a close eye on the progress of the Charlie Strong, there appears to be a growing number younger of Texas alums – with substantial money - that have pledged to stand behind Charlie Strong financially.
There are two notable details associated with this new, younger sphere of influence:
1. We’re told that several of them got together and approached the athletic department with the message that there is no limit to the financial resources this group is pledging. From our understanding, basically this amounts to the new group saying, “if anyone challenges Coach Strong, then we’ll simply outbid them.â€
2. The other interesting caveat is that these unusual suspects don’t require, or even want, input on how the operations of the football program are run.
Who are these new donors? They are billionaires. They also want to see Texas football succeed, and they are prepared to write blank checks to ensure Strong’s success.
We’ll have more intel to share about this group in coming weeks, but need to talk with a few folks first (in order to make sure everyone is protected and anonymous.)
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We’ve got the latest news on updates to the Texas football facility. As we’ve discussed in past editions of Burnt Ends, the day after the Horns completed their last round of upgrades, those changes started becoming old news.
There is always going to be someone doing something bigger, better, and newer. In other words, in 2002 when UT unveiled The Bubble and other updates, rival programs immediately began their own plans in a game of one-upsmanship.
Well, according to our top contact who is closely connected in the facility upgrade conversations, Texas is drawing up facility plans and they just might end the game of superlatives. Check out some of the plans that will re-assert the Longhorns at the head of the class:
Player Housing: The short version is that the player facilities under discussion compare more favorably with luxury condos than college dorms. There is serious discussion of an entertainment floor that will be on par with the Palladium facilities, including a bowling alley, complete electronic games and even an IMAX type theater.
Non-player accommodations: Basically what we’re told is that plans are to include a hotel next to the player complex that can accommodate visitors - including recruits’ guests. These plans are to be the equivalent to a 5* hotel.
From the “They’re serious departmentâ€: the athletic department has already been in conversations with top hotel chains about a partnership. The University has mandated that there will be at least two floors dedicated to UT personnel and use.
No talk of timeline or budget is being released yet, but there is one very interesting detail that definitely provides a feel for the scope of the changes being discussed:
“The facilities will be located near DKR with a full view of the campus and stadium."
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We’ve kept you informed of 2016 DB Malik Antoine’s recruitment for the better part of a year now, and Antoine’s stock continues to rise. Antoine, a 5-11, 180 lb. cornerback from University Lab School in Baton Rouge, received offers from SMU, Northwestern and Tulane in the last week. Combine his offers from Cal, Oklahoma State, Louisiana Lafayette and Akron, and Antoine is projecting to be a serious DB prospect.
Antoine visited Austin multiple times this year and when we spoke with him tonight about Texas he said “I’m still very interested in Texas.â€
University Lab School is home to LSU commits Nick Brosette (2015) and Dylan Moses (2017), Florida Commit Tre Jackson (2015) and several other Division 1 prospects.
