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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.
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Mansfield (TX) Lake Ridge linebacker Loren Mondy made the trip to Austin on Saturday to witness the Texas - Oklahoma State game. The 2017 prospect is currently committed to Arizona State, but this visit marks the second of the year for the hybrid defender. We spoke with Mondy after his visit to get his thoughts on the heart-breaking Texas loss to the Cowboys.
“The visit was great,†Mondy said. “I talked to the linebacker coach (Brian Jean-Mary) and am going to send him some film tomorrow.†Mondy said the fans and the atmosphere where what stood out to him most about the visit. The DFW linebacker was also happy to run into some old friends of his that are currently playing at Texas. “I said ‘what’s up’ to my buddy Jason Hall. I didn’t get to see (Hassan) Ridgeway, but we have known each other forever.â€
The Texas coaches indicated their interest to Mondy and made him feel like he is a target they are pursuing for the 2017 class. “I’m going to send them my film and he (Brian Jean-Mary) is going to sit down and watch it, but he seems to like me a lot.†Mondy and the Lake Ridge Eagles team are playing well this season. Their offense is led by Texas Tech quarterback commit Jett Duffey, while the defense is consistently punishing opposing teams. Mondy plays all over the field for the Eagles, lining up at inside linebacker and also on the edge to rush the passer. We asked Mondy if the coaches indicated what position they like him at, and from his response to us it sounds like his versatility could bleed through to the college level. The Texas coaches discussed playing him at the traditional linebacker role along with the “Fox†position where he can cut loose after the quarterback. Mondy is still firmly committed to Arizona State, but we get the feeling if Texas pursues him hard they would have a chance to flip him.
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It will be deja-vu for HornSports' high school football coverage this week as our resident recruiting guru Mike Roach returns to Cravens field to see Arlington-Lamar once again. The Vikings will face Arlington-Bowie, which means Longhorn fans will have a chance to see two Texas commits on the field in one game (Lamar's Shane Buechele and Bowie's Tope Imade).
After a tough loss to Martin last week, Lamar looks to bounce back as they chase their district title. Bowie is 1-0 in district and they continue to build on a young team with a lot of will. Tope Imade will be facing a defensive line that lacked the ability to make stops last week, while Shane Buechele will face a young secondary. All indications early look like this could be a shootout. Check us out on Friday nights here on the site to keep up with games from around the state.
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The Longhorns recently checked in on Temple (TX) wide receiver Davion Curtis. Curtis is committed to Georgia, but the local prospect seems to be keeping an ear open when Texas speaks. We were told by a source that communications between Curtis and Jay Norvell have "ramped up." It’s still early, but it sounds like the two parties are trying to work out a situation that could result in getting Curtis on campus. On Curtis’s side, he’s most likely wanting to know how serious Texas is about his recruitment before potentially stirring things up with his pledge to the Bulldogs. Texas already has a talented trio of receivers for this class, but they seem to want one more. With the potential for Devin Duvernay to slip away the Texas coaching staff is evaluating their options. We’ll keep you updated on this story as we go forward.
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Beaumont Central running back Devwah Whaley is the top target on the Texas board, but it appears as though he’s slipping through their fingers. A source indicated to us that the heavy talk around Whaley centers on Oklahoma and Georgia with the SEC program holding an edge. Whaley also happens to be close with Davion Curtis, and the two have discussed playing together down in Athens. We’ve heard from other sources of the possibility that Whaley has gone so far to give his commitment silently to Georgia. Charlie Strong should and will stay in Whaley's recruitment until the end, but it might be time to turn up the heat on some of the secondary targets out there.
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It’s time once again to take a look at the recruiting horizon to see where the Longhorns stand and which targets are viable candidates to wear burnt orange remains
Quarterback
Committed: Shane Buechele – Arlington Lamar
On the radar: None
Texas locked up Buechele early and don’t seem to be entertaining any possible options for a second player at the position. The new offensive style under Jay Norvell might pose the need to start recruiting other “Jerrod Heard-like†options, but Buechele is an elite quarterback capable of operating the Norvell game plan.
Predicted finish: Shane Buechele
Running Back
Committed: None
On the radar: Devwah Whaley (Beaumont Central), Kyle Porter (Katy)
Texas took a big running back class last year and then targeted Devwah Whaley exclusively. As we mentioned above, things don’t look too promising there. While a number of secondary targets have already committed, Kyle Porter is a tremendous talent that Texas is sitting in pretty good shape with.
Predicted finish: Kyle Porter
Wide Receiver
Committed: Reggie Hemphill-Mapps (Manvel), Collin Johnson (Valley Christian San Jose, CA), Tren’Davian Dickson (Navasota)
On the radar: Devin Duvernay (Sachse), Davion Curtis (Temple), Lil’Jordan Humphrey (Southlake Carroll), Dee Anderson (DeSoto)
The Longhorns have a receiving class they can be very happy with, but you get the feeling they’d like to add one of these high upside players. Of the group listed, Lil’Jordan Humphrey is the most likely to make the jump, but Curtis could come on board if Texas decides to really pursue him. The commitment of Duvernay’s twin brother to Baylor seems to effectively end that for all school’s recruiting him, and Dee Anderson has affirmed that his commitment to LSU is stronger than ever.
Predicted finish: Reggie Hemphill-Mapps, Collin Johnson, Tren’Davian Dickson, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Tight End
Committed: Peyton Aucoin (New Orleans, LA - Brother Martin)
On the radar: Isaac Nauta (IMG Academy), Irvin Smith (New Orleans (LA) Brother Martin), Jamal Pettigrew (New Orleans (LA) St. Augustine) , Donte Coleman (West Mesquite)
With Aucoin in the fold, the Longhorns will want to pursue a pass catching specialist at the position who can stretch teams down the seam and create mismatches. The Louisiana tight ends Irvin Smith and Jamal Pettigrew are both committed to Texas A&M and LSU respectively. I think Texas will get an official from Pettigrew, while Smith will eventually tag along on a visit with his teammate Aucoin. Donte Coleman has kept a pretty low profile since de-committing from Texas Tech, but he has always had an affinity for the Longhorns.
Predicted finish: Peyton Aucoin, Donte Coleman
Offensive Line
Committed: Tope Imade (Arlington Bowie)
On the radar: Jean Delance (North Mesquite), Denzel Okafor (Lewisville), Patrick Hudson (Silsbee)
I would hope Coach Strong has an ace up his sleeve for this position, because with the state we’ve seen this group in, you’d like to see a lot more success and possible targets in this section. Imade is solid as can be, and Texas seemingly has a lead on Jean Delance. Joe Wickline who is not known for his love of all things recruiting is going to need to put in some overtime to help the area recruiters nail these guys down. Getting Hudson on campus would be huge, but the Longhorns are playing at a disadvantage there as Hudson seems to be very comfortable in Waco.
Predicted finish: Tope Imade, Jean Delance, JUCO player, high school prospect who has yet to emerge.
Defensive Line
Committed: Gerald Wilbon (Destrehan, LA)
On the radar: Jordan Elliott (Houston Westside), Stephon Taylor (New Orleans (LA) Mcdonogh), Ross Blacklock (Elkins), Marcel Southall (Duncanville), Brandon Bowen (Byron Nelson), Rahssan Thornton (Killeen Shoemaker), Kendell Jones (Killeen Shoemaker, Darius Anderson (Hightower), Mike Williams (FW All Saints)
With only Wilbon committed, Texas needs to do some serious work in this area. We believe Texas has a good shot with several prospects including Jordan Elliott, Stephon Taylor, and Marcel Southall. The best chance at a flip for already committed prospects seems to be Rahssan Thornotn (LSU) and Mike Williams (Stanford). The Longhorns absolutely need a big quality class here.
Predicted finish: Gerald Wilbon, Jordan Elliott, Stephon Taylor, Rahssan Thornton
Linebacker
Committed: DeMarco Boyd (Gilmer)
On the radar: Jeffrey McCulloch (Aldine Davis), Shemar Smith (Miami (FL) Jackson), Dontavious Jackson (Elsik), Michael Divinity (Marrerro (LA) John Ehret)
With the only committed prospect (DeMarco Boyd) already being labeled a candidate to switch positions, it is important Texas gets two high-impact guys and perhaps a high upside project. The early impact guys are clearly Jeffrey McCulloch and Dontavious Jackson, who Texas have been recruiting hard since the beginning. While Texas continues to sit in a good position for Jackson, their once tight grip on McCulloch is slipping. In the end I believe if Texas gets one they get both.
Predicted finish: Dontavious Jackson, Demarco Boyd, Jeffrey McCulloch, Shemar Smith
Defensive Back
Committed: Obi Eboh (Southlake Carroll)
On the radar: DeMarkus Acy (Wilmer-Hutchins), Eric Cuffee (Waco), Brandon Jones (Nacogdoches), Deontay Anderson (Manvel), Chris Brown (Elsik), Kristian Fulton (Metairie (LA) Rummel)
Texas got the big physical corner they desire in Eboh, but things are a little hazy from here on out. Texas would probably be in position to win out on Acy if the offer is committable at this point. The Eric Cuffee rumors are overblown, but I’m not sure Texas still sits in the position they once did. It’s unclear if they have identified any other corners, or if they are content to load up on safeties.
Predicted Finish: Obi Eboh, Deontay Anderson, Chris Brown
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We will close by addressing the reported speculation that some Texas boosters are unsatisfied with Charlie Strong's progress with the program. The team sits at 1-3, a record the Longhorns haven't seen since 1956 under then-coach Ed Price, and criticism of the staff, players and program as a whole runs rampant.
It's a reality fans and alumni are having to deal with.
A source tells us there is a very small faction of donors that want an immediate change. It was further elaborated that the individuals expressing this sentiment are "ones who do not have reasonable patience or expectations and those who do not know history."
He continued, "ultimately the majority of the boosters, the ones that can move the heavens and shake the mountains, are just like the fans - relatively silent and unsure."
"Boosters realize that Charlie Strong needs a chance but they also want the kind of results you sometimes get from a team that is "stocked up in a new coach's 2nd year."
Name the top 10 players on this Texas team. How many of them are Charlie Strong recruits?
Our answer: More than not.
The reality is this is a very young team with a lot of future potential.
"All you hear and see are the crazies right now. If this were 2016 and we were sitting at 1-3 then you might hear more public displeasure from donors. Unless Texas finishes this season in embarrassing fashion, he still gets 2016."
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