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 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.
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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“I have concerns.â€
That’s what one coach told HornSports after watching the Texas practice this spring.
“After attending a scrimmage and watching the first half of the spring game, I don’t see enough explosive players on either side of the ball. I’m talking about someone that changes the game with a single play – who does that on their roster? Texas doesn’t have players that opposing coordinators are going to have to scheme for, and that’s a big disadvantage in Power 5 football.â€
He continued:
“[Jonathan] Gray and [Jacorey] Warrick are both good players. They’ll be in the right place, at the right time, and they’ll execute the plays called. With good blocking, those guys are going to produce nine times out of ten…and there’s value in that. Every team needs those guys. I call them ‘Producers’.
The problem is that Producers need Gamebreakers to keep a defense off balance. It’s harder to produce when a defense isn’t worried about that one guy.â€
When he extended to the other side of the ball, the criticism changed:
“On defense there are a couple of real talents. The problem is the guys that need to be Producers are still learning – they don’t have the game-experience they need to be a Producer.
[Jason] Hall needs a couple of guys like Gray and Warrick that are dependable. For him to be effective, this team needs a couple of steady players – that way Hall doesn’t have to worry about doing the right thing on every snap, he can just make something happen.â€
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With a Top 10 national ranking in the preseason, to say that Texas baseball’s season is off the rails is putting it kindly. Depending on who gets asked, folks are blaming Augie Garrido, Tommy Nicholson, or the upper classmen on the roster.
While the real answer is that everyone in the program bears responsibility for the team’s 22-22 record, we asked a connection what to make of this season’s struggles. If you prefer sunshine and rainbows, you aren’t going to like this opinion:
“Getting swept in Fort Worth showed me what I needed to see. This team is done. Beating Kansas wasn’t a fluke, but this bunch can’t harness the confidence from sweeping a team worse than them and use it to build for the next series. Long story short – the Horns will keep beating squads that are below average and will lose most games to teams that are average or better.â€
We followed that statement up by asking about the postseason, and the answer wasn’t much brighter:
“I think they’ll win just enough to earn a spot in a Regional. Depending on what teams they’re matched against, winning that Regional isn’t out of the question. But beating a Top 10 team in a Super Regional? Forget it. Not this club – not this year.â€
At that point, we asked who was going to get blamed for the collapse and the conversation got interesting:
“I think Augie will retire. Whether that’s by choice or by force will not be known, nor should it be – Garrido has the right to walk away from the game with his head high…and attached.â€
As for last year’s contract extension:
“Steve Patterson isn’t the incompetent that many want to believe. Garrido’s extension has a minimal buyout written into it – I think the number is $300K.â€
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In the last two weeks, Joe Wickline had several of his targets commit to other programs. Copperas Cove’s J.P. Urquidez chose Baylor over Texas, and Arlington Lamar guard Chris Owens committed to Alabama this past week. On Monday, Austin and Riley Anderson (Mineola) announced their commitments to Texas A&M.
With these verbal pledges, Wickline has to shift his attention to other options in an in-state offensive line class that is light on top-end talent, but deeper in the middle. In fact, some (that would know) question whether the Horns were already focusing on other prospects prioritized ahead of Urquidez, Owens, and the Andersons.
One prospect without an offer that could see his recruitment pick up in the near future is Arlington Bowie lineman Tope Imade. With his stock on the rise in the last few months, Imade made it a point to see the Texas program up close at the annual Orange and White game. Imade’s proactive nature is not lost on the Texas staff.
Another player that will likely get more attention is North Mesquite’s Jean Delance. A former OU pledge, Delance has been mentioned in several editions of Burnt Ends and in this profile. Crosby’s Keenan Murphy is an additional player that has been mentioned in Burnt Ends that could pick up more interest from Texas.
One last name to keep an eye on is Harker Heights’ Chris Hughes. The younger brother of Camrohn and Naashon Hughes turned heads when he won the offensive line MVP at The Opening Regionals in Dallas. As we told you in last week’s Burnt Ends, Hughes prefers playing defense, but with his refined skill set, count on Wickline making a stop at Harker Heights in the near future.
Especially for OT’s, expect Wickline and Strong to start contacting prospects from outside the state. Specifically there are three tackle prospects from Florida that we hope to have updates on soon.
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Here’s another offensive line curveball…how about the possibility of mammoth defensive tackle prospect Kendell Jones switching over to the offensive side of the ball? Before you dismiss the idea, know that we were tipped by a high school coach that playing offense is a subject that Texas coaches have broached with Killeen Shoemaker’s blue chip.
Coleman Feeley scouted Jones in-person and wrote about it here. Mike Roach reported on his performance at The Opening regional camp in DFW in this article, and again here.
As one of the Top 10 players in Texas, expect Jones’ recruitment to progress slowly. Jones appears comfortable reviewing his options closely and doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to make up his mind.
Regardless, put an asterisk by his position – he made a reputation for bulldozing offensive linemen. With his size and power, he may find himself pushing the other direction.
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Tope Imade was in Austin for the Orange-White game, and we connected with him to get a few details on the trip. From the sounds of it, Imade really enjoyed his time in Austin, and got acquainted with some of the Texas coaches:
“Coach Wick [Joe Wickline] said he was highly interested, and as we were leaving someone ran up saying coach BJ (Brian Jean-Mary) wanted to meet with us.â€
Texas told Imade that Wickline and Brian Jean-Mary would be by soon for a spring evaluation:
“I called him [Joe Wickline] earlier this week and he said, again, that he’s very interested. He told me they planned on signing five offensive linemen and he hoped I could be a part of it.â€
As for the rest of the visit, Imade enjoyed the environment and mentioned meeting with several other players including Malik Jefferson, Charles Omenihu, and Connor Williams. Imade, who checks in on our latest Top 50 rankings is definitely a name to keep close track of in the coming weeks.
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New Orleans Brother Martin tight end Peyton Aucoin didn’t make it to Austin for the spring game, but did make a trip this past weekend to get a closer look at things on the 40 Acres. Texas offered Aucoin and his teammate (and fellow TE) Irvin Smith in early April.
We caught up with Aucoin briefly to get his thoughts on the visit, and although he didn’t have much time to talk, he said he had a great trip and really enjoyed the weekend. Aucoin got to spend time with the Charlie Strong while on the visit and seems to have a genuine interest in the Longhorns:
“The trip was great. I plan on announcing sometime before my season starts.â€
When asked where UT ranks in his list of schools:
“It's definitely one of my top schools.â€
On if Texas has explained to him how they would use him in the new up-tempo offense:
“They told me how I would play the true Y position.â€
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There are some new names and quick risers on our recent update of the HornSports Top 50. One such notable addition is wide receiver Kofi Boateng.
Arlington (TX) Lamar’s wideout is a new entry, checking in at #48. Boateng plays with current Texas commit Shane Buechele and Alabama commit Chris Owens.
Although he does not yet hold a Texas offer, Boateng already made a trip to Austin this spring to see what Texas has to offer. His close relationship with Buechele will help Boateng stay on the Texas radar, but the wide receiver has more than enough playmaking ability to make it on his own. Boateng currently holds 40 offers, including: Arizona State, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Wisconsin.
Boateng checks in at 6’1â€, 175 pounds, and has a little room to add weight. Without the explosive, breakaway speed of other receivers in the 2016 class, Boateng makes up for it with his ability to make plays in the open field.
Quick off the line and showing an ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces, Boateng’s best traits are his exceptional body control and perhaps the best hands in the state. Boateng will be an interesting prospect to evaluate over the coming season, and could be a player poised for a breakout year.
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One of everyone’s favorite subjects: Recruiting beyond the 2016 class. Here’s a new name to file away…and when we say “awayâ€, we’re talking deep in the filing cabinet.
Jalen Mayden, brother of 4-star Sachse defensive back Jared Mayden (who holds a Texas offer), is getting looks from Texas. The younger Mayden is a class of 2018 QB, and already has offers from Oregon State and Houston.
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On Saturday Texas point guard Isaiah Taylor announced he would return for his junior season. Taylor, who was projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft, cited his desire to continue playing with his teammates and be the floor leader by returning. Taylor led the team in scoring last season and Shaka Smart will certainly rely on Taylor’s scoring prowess next season, but Taylor’s experience also stands to be a major benefit to incoming freshman Eric Davis and Kerwin Roach.
“I can learn a lot, especially the little things and pointers that he learned from his two years of being there [at Texas],†Kerwin Roach told HornSports.
Roach says he is looking forward to playing up-tempo basketball for Shaka Smart:
“The havoc style fits my style of play because I love to get up and down and coach Smart plays havoc for tempo. That's what I love.â€
The Longhorns return 12 of 16 roster players from last season including 4 upper-classmen guards that will compete for playing time. We asked Roach if he thought he would redshirt or see time on the floor:
“Four upper-classmen just adds experience and leadership that 2 freshman may be missing. I expect to jump in and play – not to redshirt.â€
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The 2015 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday so we checked in with a draft expert to get an update on where things stand for the Longhorns involved, most notably DT Malcom Brown.
“Big Malcom is likely 13-19th overall, but could slip back to pick 23 if not taken in that window.â€
That projection is consistent with what HornSports correspondent Corey Elliot reported live from the NFL Combine back in February. Brown is one of the two top Defensive Tackle prospects on the board.
“If Malcom Brown falls to #23, expect the Detroit Lions to grab him up and walk away licking their chops,†our draft source said.
Also aligning with Elliot’s reports from Indianapolis back in February, DB Quandre Diggs and DE Cedric Reed are expected to be 3rd days picks. LB Jordan Hicks and RB Malcolm Brown are expected to join teams as undrafted free agents.
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