Burnt Ends (7-13)

[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.

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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Fans are excited about the highly touted incoming class of linebackers headlined by Malik Jefferson. That anticipation is understandable considering that some recruiting analysts labeled the group of ‘backers as the best haul at any position group in the entire country.

While no one debates the group’s massive potential, best laid plans ran amuck this spring when Dalton Santos suffered a knee injury. Truth be told, Santos’ injury was met with borderline excitement by many fans because it simply advanced the timetable for seeing the freshmen linebackers unleashed.

What folks didn’t consider is how Santos’ absence skewed playing time because of the void at his position. In other words, instead of seeing Jefferson on the edge of a defense where his athleticism has room to run, his talent was needed inside in order for Vance Bedford to play his best eleven defenders.

Not only did Santos’ absence muck up positions, it also had the potential to force true freshmen into playing time whether they were ready or not. You can reel off several names of freshmen ‘backers that might be ready to play 15 snaps per game in September, but a full four quarters of mistake-free football? Not likely.

When we caught up this week with a member of the Santos family and were told that, “All is well. He's better than ever! Going full speed in drills – we gonna be fine.” That should be music to your ears regardless of whether you’re hoping to see a true freshman get playing time.

The family member went on to tell us that Santos has been practicing hard enough to now have full confidence – mentally he knows it’s going to hold up and be okay.

From allowing guys to play natural positions, to giving them time to adjust to the college game at their own pace, Santos’ presence is beneficial. Even if only for his leadership and ability to line players up properly, Santos at full health is big news for the Horns.

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With the Texas “Under the Lights” camp taking place this weekend, the HornSports staff has been at work trying to put together a list of potential attendees. All players on this list have confirmed they were invited, but some indicated they weren’t sure if they’d be able to make it or not.  We will have a more expansive preview article later in the week so be sure to look out for that.  “Under the Lights” has become the premier recruiting event of the summer for the program under the Charlie Strong staff.

2016 Recruits

Shane Buechele – QB – Arlington Lamar (Texas Commit)

Erick Fowler – DE/OLB – Manor (LSU Commit)

Dontavious Jackson – ILB – Elsik

Jeffrey McCulloch – LB – Aldine Davis

Jordan Carmouche – LB – Manvel

Kofi Boateng – WR – Arlington Lamar

Eric Monroe – DB – Galena Park North Shore (LSU commit)

Ross Blacklock – DT – Elkins

Christian Wallace – DB – Sealy

Kam Martin – RB – Port Arthur Memorial

Kyle Porter – RB – Katy

Donte Coleman – TE – West Mesquite (Texas Tech Commit)

Stephon Taylor – DT – New Orleans (LA) McDonogh

Dee Anderson – WR – DeSoto (LSU commit)

Jamal Pettigrew – TE – New Orleans (LA) St. Augustine (LSU Commit)

Peyton Aucoin – TE – New Orleans (LA) Brother Martin

Greg Eiland – OL – Philadelphia (MS)

Davion Curtis – WR – Temple

Demarco Boyd – LB – Gilmer (Texas commit)

Malcolm Roach – DE – Baton Rouge (LA) Madison Prep Academy

Reggie Hemphill – WR – Manvel (Texas commit)

Jordan Elliott – DT – Westside (Houston commit)

2017 Recruits

Sam Ehlinger – QB – Westlake

Jaylon Mascorro – QB – Refugio

J.K. Dobbins – RB – LaGrange

John Brannon – LB – Prosper

Damion Miller – WR – John Tyler (Texas commit)

Derrick Tucker – S – Manvel

Montrell Estell – WR – Hooks

Will Farrar – OL – Richmond Travis

Major Tennison – TE – Bullard

Calvin Tyler – RB – Beaumont Ozen

Cam Roane – QB – Colleyville

Walker Little – OL – Bellaire Episcopal

Alexander Duke – DE – Bellaire

Tyrese Robinson – OL- McKinney Boyd

Daiquain Jackson – DB – Mesquite Poteet

Darrion Green – ATH – Cedar Hill

Eno Benjamin – RB – Wylie East

Bernard Goodwater – RB – Dallas Carter

Kenneth Murray – OLB – Elkins

Langston Frederick – DB – Clear Springs

CeeDee Lamb – WR – Foster

Sydney Murray – DE – Foster

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2017 Clear Springs defensive back Langston Frederick isn’t a player who is currently on the Texas radar, but a family member of his told us he plans to be soon.  Frederick stands 5’10 178 pounds, but displays an incredible brand of physical play on film.  We spoke to his uncle who will be in attendance with Frederick at Under The Lights, and asked him how much contact Frederick has had with Texas:

“None, I don’t even think they know about him yet, but he told me when we leave the camp they will.” 

Safe to say that Frederick has a lot he wants to prove and doesn’t mind doing the work to prove it.

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2017 Caldwell wide receiver Devin Morris is a name to keep in mind.  Morris was invited to the Under The Lights camp but told us he won’t be able to attend.  The soon to be junior is a big play threat with explosive ability to score every time he touches the ball. 

Morris told us he really likes Texas, but his dream school at this point is TCU.  Morris told us he camped at Texas earlier in the summer and got acquainted with wide receivers coach Jay Norvell. When we asked Morris what it was that separated the Horned Frogs from the rest of the pack: 

“I just love their coaching staff and the program they have. I’d love an opportunity to be a part of it.”

We asked Morris the same question about Texas, and he echoed many of the same thoughts: 

“I love their football program and coaching staff.  I feel I can help them out on either side of the ball.”

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One Texas commitment who won’t be in attendance this weekend is 2016 Arlington Bowie OL Tope Imade. “Big Grizz” as his teammates call him, had a busy summer of camp circuits and then decided to enter the workforce. 

He told us he recently got a summer job and won’t be able to make it due to his work schedule.  There should be no worries about Imade though.  He kept an eye on the events in Oregon at “The Opening” and couldn’t be more excited to play with Shane Buechele. 

Buechele opened a lot of eyes at the camp and nearly went wire to wire as the number one ranked quarterback.  I asked Imade if he was keeping up with how his future teammate was doing, and he couldn’t contain his excitement: 

“Yeah I heard, calling him good would be an insult.  He’s that talented. I can’t wait to block for him."

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We mentioned last week the football team is focused on strength & conditioning as opposed to 7-on-7 work.  A defensive player we talked to this week had this to say when we asked him how the summer was going:

“Everything is going good.  We’re just going through workouts. All the freshmen are doing good and are learning the defense.”

When we started talking specifics, the conversation eventually turned to Malik Jefferson and how the former Poteet Pirate is handling things. First take, the answer we got is a little blunt:

“I don’t really pay attention to him. I’m more worried about myself.”

More thought about that answer and it’s most likely the kind of answer Charlie Strong wants to cultivate in the Texas program. If you don’t want sunshine, unicorns, and rainbow-filled practice reports, file that quote away and read it weekly until the end of August.

 

[joeywa]

Saw yesterday where Buechele has expressed interest in playing some baseball when he gets to UT. SS/P.

Donald, you seen him on the diamond? Thoughts?

 

[utisdabomb12]

Saw yesterday where Buechele has expressed interest in playing some baseball when he gets to UT. SS/P.

Donald, you seen him on the diamond? Thoughts?

I'm pretty sure he threw a no hitter this year. 

 

[North Texas Golfer]

You can reel off several names of freshmen ‘backers that might be ready to play 15 snaps per game in September, but a full four quarters of mistake-free football? Not likely

For the sake of discussion, doesn't this pretty much describe every LB on the roster, freshmen or not? 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

You can reel off several names of freshmen ‘backers that might be ready to play 15 snaps per game in September, but a full four quarters of mistake-free football? Not likely

For the sake of discussion, doesn't this pretty much describe every LB on the roster, freshmen or not? 

There are at least 2 coaches that think Hughes is a 4-quarter guy, especially in Big 12 games.

 

[Johnstark23]

Saw yesterday where Buechele has expressed interest in playing some baseball when he gets to UT. SS/P.

Donald, you seen him on the diamond? Thoughts?

I said this somewhere but if his hands are half as good as his father's he can pay for me any day off the week. I think Steve gets short changed a bit because he only hit 220, but man could he pick it at 3rd

 

[Mike Roach]

I'm pretty sure he threw a no hitter this year. 

He did, against one of the worst teams in the state.  Not to take anything away from Shane but from what I hear if he plays baseball the plan is to play infield and not pitch.  A coach in his district tells me he's a good high school pitcher but his future in baseball is at shortstop.  Very good defensive player and a decent hitter from what I was told.  

 

[North Texas Golfer]

There are at least 2 coaches that think Hughes is a 4-quarter guy, especially in Big 12 games.

Okay, refresh my memory. Hughe's bio on the Roster page says he moved from LB to DE last year during the season. Did he move back in the Spring?

And about the Roster page under the Football link, it really needs to be updated bad. Among others , it still shows M. J. McFarland and Rami Hammad 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Hughes plays Fox. Half DE & half LB depending formation.

 

[Donald Boyles]

He did, against one of the worst teams in the state.  Not to take anything away from Shane but from what I hear if he plays baseball the plan is to play infield and not pitch.  A coach in his district tells me he's a good high school pitcher but his future in baseball is at shortstop.  Very good defensive player and a decent hitter from what I was told.  

I need to go back and look... But, he might have had two no hitters this past spring..

He will also be on campus this December..

Another name to watch is Sophomore OF Jayden Norvell, he is the son to WR Coach Jay Norvell. Jayden is playing with one of the newer Summer Teams in town.. Jayden is attending St. Micahel's Catholic Academy and is coached by Calvin Schiraldi.