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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While fans are busy discussing Augie Garrido's future at UT, they ought to be paying attention to other coaches on staff. There are programs in Texas that were happy to see the Longhorns' season end on Sunday. Not because they cheer against Texas....because they can now interview UT coaches.
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We recently reported that 2017 Refugio quarterback Jaylon Mascorro has been in contact with Texas OC and quarterback coach Shawn Watson. Mascorro, who plans to attend the Texas passing camp this summer, told us Watson will be stopping by Refugio to see him in action.
While all eyes in 2017 are focused on Denton Guyer’s Shawn Robinson, Mascorro is definitely one to watch. The Longhorns have made changes to their offense over the offseason, and those changes are already evident in the type of skill players Texas is recruiting.
It’s admittedly early in the process, but later this week the site will release the first edition of the Top 50 in Texas for 2017. Recruiting never stops - the list will give fans a head start on the names to know in the class.
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Meanwhile it’s important to keep you up to date on the 2016 prospects occupying our rankings. This week’s HornSports Top 50 spotlight shines on a potential defensive line candidate for Texas.
With the news of Du’Vonta Lampkin’s failure (or unwillingness) to qualify, the numbers at defensive tackle are starting to become worrisome. When the site revised the ranking and took a hard look at some players’ film, we found that this player was worthy of Top 50 honors despite his height (which he is commonly knocked for) – Hightower’s Darius Anderson.
This year’s recruiting cycle includes the usual bevy of talent from greater Houston. With high profile defensive linemen like Ed Oliver and Jordan Elliott local to town, it’s easy to be overshadowed at the position, and at 6’, 300 pounds, many have questioned if Anderson has the size to hold up at the next level.
What Anderson lacks in size, he more than makes up for in aggression and motor. Anderson competed at The Opening regional camp in Arlington, TX and was very good in the 1-on-1 portion.
At the nose position, Anderson’s lack of height actually makes for a bit of an advantage when it comes to leverage. With a thick build throughout his upper and lower body, Anderson surges forward and shoots his hands well to dictate the attack against his opposition. He plays with sound gap discipline and an advanced understanding of technique when it comes to hand placement and shoulder leverage. With a strong bull rush to go along with an inside rip and swim move to penetrate into the backfield, Anderson is also a sound tackler who doesn’t miss once he has his man wrapped up.
Anderson currently holds a few offers from schools such as East Carolina and South Dakota but looks like he could be on the verge of blowing up – he’s been hearing from TCU, Baylor, and Louisiana Tech. Anderson camped at Texas last year and speaks with Texas defensive line coach Brick Haley every other day. He has yet to make camp plans for this summer, but the Texas staff would love to have him on campus again to evaluate him. With the amount of contact he’s had with Haley it could only be a matter of time before the Longhorns come forward with an offer.
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Last week was a big one for Arlington Bowie (TX) offensive lineman Tope Imade: His junior year of high school wrapped up, he committed to Texas, and played his last high school spring game. As for Bowie’s spring game, it was a very watered down contest by design. Mission accomplished – the White team tied the Orange team.
Imade played right guard for the white team and wasn’t disappointed with his performance, saying:
“It feels great to go out with a big bang, even though we tied. We still executed, and that feels really good.â€
Imade also reflected on his commitment to play college football for the Longhorns earlier this week. As he quickly found out, committing to Texas brought on some newfound “fameâ€:
“A lot of teachers started taking pictures with me. A lot of my friends, some I didn’t even know I had, started calling my name in the hallway – so it felt great.â€
Imade himself feels at peace with his decision, and plans to busy himself with luring more talent into the Texas class:
“I feel good. I’m ready to get right to work recruiting Denzel Okafor and Jean Delance.â€
Imade says he has a good relationship with Okafor due to the connection of their Nigerian heritage, and also knows Delance from the camp circuits.
With commits spread out over the state and country, Imade has yet to form a close bond with others in the recruiting 2016 class, but does know Shane Buechele (as both are from Arlington). Interestingly enough, Imade has already started bonding with the Horns’ lone out-of-state commit:
“I talked to Collin Johnson recently. As soon as I got offered he was real happy about that. He just advised me to recruit for Texas so that’s what I’m going to do.â€
Although Imade is happy with his decision, he indicated that the door is slightly cracked in his recruitment until the ink is dry on signing day:
“I might take some visits. Nothing is permanent until next February.â€
If Imade is successful with his efforts to steer prospects to UT, it would help cement his own commitment.
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On Monday morning, Texas commit Reggie Hemphill tweeted “Ole Miss on Thursdayâ€
The tweet drew attention from Charles Omenihu, Kirk Johnson and UT fans. Everyone had the same question, “Is Hemphill, who already decommitted once, considering playing at other schools?â€
Rest easy Horns fans - we talked with Hemphill this morning and he confirmed he would be making the trip to Oxford, but not alone. Hemphill said he is making the Ole Miss trip with a handful of his teammates...for the experience.
He confirmed to HornSports that the trip is not an official visit. Manvel ISD releases students for the summer on Wednesday and this appears to be nothing more than a road trip for Hemphill. Although Hemphill holds an offer from the Rebels, he confirmed this morning that he’s “still firm to Texas.â€
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The majority of the 2015 signing class is moving to Austin this week. Included in that group is Rowlett High School defensive end Charles Omenihu. Always gracious with his time, Omenihu shared a few details this morning.
First off, he’ll officially be on-campus this Friday (June 5th) and will call San Jacinto Hall his new home.
Omenihu says he’s in good shape, but joked that “the running is going to kill meâ€. While running isn’t his favorite thing, he also told us he spent plenty of time in the weight room during the offseason.
Omenihu has been a fan favorite since he committed. Expect him to jump in and compete for a spot immediately.
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Prior to National Signing Day speculation surrounding Ronnie Major’s academic eligibility was rampant. Major’s coach and Huntsville ISD Athletic Director, Rodney Southern, told HornSports in February that Major had some work to do but a plan was in place to get him qualified.
We caught up with Coach Southern again on Monday and asked about Major’s progress:
“His grades are better, core-wise. He’s still working on his test score.â€
Since signees are moving to Austin and officially enrolling this week, it doesn’t sound like Major has completed the aforementioned plan. Does this translate to bad news for Ronnie Major and Texas?
Not at all.
Southern emphatically told us that Major will still qualify and enroll at Texas.
When? We’re not sure.
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We’ve heard from several high school coaches that Alief Elsik linebacker Dontavious Jackson is a player to keep an eye on as a potential commitment. In fact, we talked with a well-respected coach on Monday morning, and the news we got is sure to put a smile on fans faces.
What we heard today is that he would be surprised to see Jackson playing anywhere other than Texas:
“Word on the street is that he is a UT-lock…big time.â€
That’s great news for Texas it if pans out because the same coach told us if the Horns get Jackson, they more than likely will pick up a commitment from Jeffrey McCullough (4-star Aldine Davis LB).
National Signing Day is still seven months away but Texas appears to be in great shape with both players.
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2017 Wylie East running back Eno Benjamin has seen his stock rise recently. The talented playmaker received an offer from Texas Tech, and has been in steady contact with Texas wide receiver coach Jay Norvell.
Benjamin told HornSports that Norvell likes him a lot and wants him to camp in Austin this summer. Benjamin plans to attend the Texas camp and believes an offer could present itself if he performs well. While Benjamin is pretty wide open thus far in his recruitment, there are those that think he likes Texas and could have the Longhorns out in front if they were to offer.