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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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This week’s edition of Burnt Ends will be centered on the big official visit weekend that just went down in Austin.
We’ll start with some quick notes of interest.
- This was an important visit for Temple DE Taquon Graham, who still has visits planned to TCU and Oklahoma. We were told by sources close to this recruitment that Texas did an unbelievable job winning over the family. Graham’s mother was extremely partial to Charlie Strong and Brick Haley, but Oscar Giles did a great job with short time on this recruitment, while Todd Orlando and Tom Herman drove it home. Graham is considering cancelling his remaining visits, though a decision isn’t set in stone yet.
- We were told that no commitments happened on the visit that anyone was aware of. Despite that news we hear that Texas put themselves into prime position for a number of their targets.
- One thing mentioned to us was the impact of former Texas DB Michael Huff. Multiple prospects mentioned that spending time with Huff was a highlight of the visit. This hire flew under the radar in the early part of the Herman tenure, but Huff has been an integral piece of Herman’s transition to Austin.
- We are told that things look very good for JUCO players Gary Johnson and Larrell Murchison. Both players have the chance to be day one contributors at Texas.
- We were told that while Chevin Calloway enjoyed his visit to Austin, most folks around him still expect Arkansas to win out here.
Before we move on to the recruiting forecast, we did want to profile one 2018 prospect who is starting to generate a lot of interest. Frisco Wakeland OL Rafiti Ghrimai tweeted last week that the Texas coaches reached out to him, and we caught up with the fast rising lineman at the Next Level Athlete combine in Dallas. Ghrimai lit up the one on one drills at the combine, and he talked about the recent visit from the Texas staff. “The offensive line coach came to our school on Thursday, and he invited me to junior day in March,†Ghrimai told us. “He said they’re going to see a lot of me, and I can’t wait to get down to the campus because Texas is a great school.â€
Ghrimai has never visited Austin in an official capacity, but he’s attended games in the past. “I visited down there a couple of years ago, but I’ve never actually been inside the facility.†When asked about what he’s looking for in a school, Ghrimai presented a well thought out plan for his recruitment. “Academics is the first thing, because I want to go into either business or engineering. Academics is the first thing, and then the football, and then to see if I have a connection with the coaches.†The 2018 big man is doing his homework on perspective schools though, so he knows a thing or two about the program. “I do a lot of research into the schools I want to major in, and then I’ll go on YouTube and watch a day in the players life and all that stuff. It helps me decide if this is a good school or not for me.â€
Ghrimai has recent offers from Texas Tech, North Texas, SMU, Iowa State, and Bowling Green, but he said he feels that Texas could be close to offering. “Coach Warehime talked to my coach for half an hour, and he just told me that Texas likes me and I need to keep grinding.†File this name away, because we feel this kid is on the brink of becoming a major prospect.
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This week in the recruiting forecast we bring you the targets who are on the board for Texas, and where we feel they end up with our confidence rating (from 1-5).
NOTE: We are only forecasting recruits still on the board and not committed to Texas. Positions like quarterback and running back are full and will not be shown.
Wide Receiver
Omar Manning – Lancaster
This one is becoming difficult to forecast. We continue to hear good things for Texas, but TCU is doing all they can to hold on. We’ve maintained that if things happen it will go down close to signing day to avoid any type of circus.
Prediction: Texas
Confidence: 2
Charleston Rambo – Cedar Hill
We connected with sources close to Rambo this week, and there was an indication he might visit Texas in the coming weeks. The Longhorns have a lot to overcome in this recruitment, and I’m not sure they have the time or relationships in place to do it.
Prediction: Oklahoma
Confidence: 3.5
CeeDee Lamb – Richmond Foster
After hearing some initial optimism from sources on this front, it appears Lamb might just be playing the game. Information on this front is almost dry at this point, and we aren’t feeling so good about our previous Texas prediction.
Prediction: Oklahoma
Confidence: 4
Jordan Pouncey – Winter Park (FL)
We will learn a lot more about Pouncey after he takes his visit this week. Miami is the favorite at this point, but Stan Drayton was the lead recruiter for Pouncey’s cousins Mike and Maurkice Pouncey. We believe Texas has a shot depending on how the official visit goes.
Prediction: Miami
Confidence: 3
Offensive Line
Grant Polley – Denton High School
Polley had a great time on his visit, and the early returns were positive for Texas. There’s still some thought that the Colorado commit could stick with his commitment. His teammate Chris Miller is coming in to play here. The fellow Colorado commit is hearing some interest from Texas, but we are told he’s not visiting without an offer.
Prediction: Texas
Confidence: 2
Stephan Zabie – Austin Westlake
Sam Ehlinger’s blindside protector was offered by the staff today, but we haven’t been able to connect with him yet. At this point we are going to go with a bit of common sense.
Prediction: Texas
Confidence: 3
Defensive Line
K’Lavon Chaisson – North Shore
Chaisson visited LSU over the weekend, but we’re told from sources on that side that the vibe is still Texas. Chaisson will visit Austin this week, and we still continue to hear all systems go for Texas. The only thing that could throw a wrench in this one is Marvin Wilson committing to LSU and persuading his friend to join him.
Prediction: Texas
Confidence: 4
Larrell Murchison – Louisburg College (NC)
Murchison was offered by Texas over the weekend, and we hear that he had a great time on his visit. The current Ole Miss commit is definitely looking around, and we believe Texas is currently in the driver seat.
Prediction: Texas
Confidence: 3
Bryan Jones – Madison Prep
Jones is down to Houston, Texas, and Texas A&M. He will take his official later in the month, and this could come down to how hard Texas and A&M push.
Prediction: Houston
Confidence: 3
Jamari Chisolm – North Eastern Oklahoma A&M
Chisolm has yet to be offered, but we believe that if one comes through Texas would sit in a prime position. Since he’s yet to be offered we don’t have a confidence rating or prediction.
Ryan Johnson – Mobile St. Paul (AL)
Johnson will visit Texas late in the month, and while we think they could be a likely landing spot, Auburn seems to be the leader at this point.
Prediction: Auburn
Confidence: 3
Linebacker
Gary Johnson – Dodge City (KS) CC
Of all the uncommitted prospects on campus this weekend that we checked on, we heard the strongest optimism about Johnson. He still has west coast visits to USC and Oregon planned, but Texas is in good shape here.
Prediction: Texas
Confidence: 3
Defensive Back
Chevin Calloway – Bishop Dunne
Texas gave it a good shot, and they will definitely be in it until the end, but we expect Calloway to end up in Fayetteville.
Prediction: Arkansas
Confidence: 3.5
