Luke Mullin and Amie Just discuss Nebraska’s aggressive efforts recruiting both the state of Texas, and the transfer portal. Plus, a check-in on both Husker basketball teams.
Nebraska tight ends coach Bob Wager will be a familiar face to at least one Husker next season.
A former player for Wager at Arlington (Texas) Martin, three-star tight end Ismael Smith Flores announced his commitment to Nebraska on Monday following an official visit.
The son of a former Iowa Hawkeye, Nebraska held off Iowa, Rutgers and Indiana to land Smith Flores, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound prospect. While all those schools had major interest in him, Smith Flores felt Nebraska's fanbase and coaching staff stood out to him.
“All the coaches have really good relationships with me and are really genuine people," Smith Flores said. "And the fans, I genuinely believe there’s no better fans than at Nebraska, so that was huge.”
Smith Flores had 15 catches for 362 yards and three touchdowns in his senior season where he mostly played as an outside wide receiver. Wager and Nebraska clearly believe Smith Flores can make use of his size and large catch radius at tight end. After having conversations with offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield about his role, Smith Flores envisions himself as a flex tight end who fills multiple spots in the offense.
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“You could be in the backfield and put your hand in the dirt or you can be the outside wide receiver, just being versatile and creating mismatches all over the field," Smith Flores said.
Learning his role as a blocking tight end and perhaps adding some additional weight could be important before Smith Flores sees the field, but his ability to haul in contested catches stands out as an immediate strength. It was Smith Flores' former high school coach that got him to Nebraska, and it'll also be Wager who will oversee Smith Flores' growth in the coming years.
For the talented Texan tight end, that sounds just right to him.
“It sped up the process not having to build that relationship with my position coach," Smith Flores said. "He knows my game better than anybody else, and this year was my first year playing so he’s seen me since day one on the field.”
Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican (left) swears in the new senators for 2023, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Sen. John Fredrickson shows his son, Leon, the inside of the west wing on the first day of the 2023 Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Kristina Konecko, an administrative aide for Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, boxes up items at his old desk Tuesday at the Capitol. The new session begins Wednesday.
Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Senator Tony Vargas after the inauguration ceremony for the governor on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
A camera flash illuminates the newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the rotunda to the West Chamber to be sworn in on Thursday at Capitol in Lincoln.
Milford's Izzy Yeackley (left) grabs a rebound in front of Malcolm's Emma Brown on Thursday in Malcolm.
Tell Hanes (left) of the Waverly Fire Department and Southeast Rural Fire's Trey Wayne jump over freezing water to high-five while practicing surface ice rescues Friday at Holmes Lake. "We try to run these trainings for both our students and local first responders to make sure they are ready in case anything real happens," said Andrew Saunders, of the International Rescue and Relief program at Union College.
Lincoln Southeast's Kaitlyn Freudenberg (from left) tries to hold onto the ball against Lincoln Southwest's Brinly Christensen and Aniya Seymore on Friday at Lincoln Southwest.
Nebraska's Kendall Moriarty does push-ups as her teammates cheer after the Huskers beat Penn State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Brock Hardy (right) wrestles Minnesota's Jakob Bergeland in the 141-pound match, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at the Devaney Center.
Ali Al-Mohammed, 17, kicks a soccer ball after school on Tuesday in front of Park Middle School. Renovations at Park that were part of the 2020 bond issue included a new cafeteria space.
Parkview Christian's Isabella Minatti (middle, right) is fouled against Johnson-Brock during a MUDECAS Tournament semifinal game Thursday at Beatrice Auditorium.
Nebraska's Emmanuel Bandoumel makes a dunk against Illinois' Matthew Mayer on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Derrick Walker is introduced before the Illinois game, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
A truck passes over an icy Platte River along U.S. 6 on Friday near Ashland. Friday's temperature failed to get above freezing, but the forecast for Saturday and Sunday is much better, with temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s before precipitation chances Sunday night and Monday.
A pair of ice skaters journey across a frozen Holmes Lake at sunset on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Lincoln. As winter continues, weather this week will be consistently in the 40s with a dry weekend.
Ohio State's Rebeka Mikulášiková collides with Nebraska's Maddie Krull as they battle for the ball underneath the rim in the third quarter Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Kyrie Kelley-Johnson, son of Lincoln High head coach Dominique Kelley-Johnson, tries to keep the attention of the players while the Links stretch before their game Saturday at Lincoln High.
Governor Jim Pillen (center) announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts to Nebraska's open senate seat, during an announcement on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, has been expected to go to Ricketts after his depurate from the governorship last year.
Oscar and Yenifer Contreras, (left to right) both family workers, enjoy some of the food they made before lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Restaurante & Bar Sabor Latino in Lincoln.
Parker Moll braves a mix of snow and rain to clear the driveway outside his family's home on Wednesday.
Ohio State's Zed Key (left) lays the ball into the basket off of the backboard against Nebraska's Derrick Walker on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Sam Griesel (right) embraces teammate Keisei Tominaga after defeating Ohio State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska's Isabelle Bourne (left) is blocked at the rim by Maryland's Gia Cooke on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Pius X's Jackson Kessler (middle, bottom) celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against Lincoln Southwest on Thursday at Pius X High School.
Nebraska's Allie Gard completes a back hand spring during her routine on the balance beam during their duel against Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Lincoln Pius X's Nate Schauer (left) and Treyson Anderson celebrate after defeating Omaha Skutt on Tuesday at Pius X High School.
Nebraska's Denim Dawson bites a towel after the Huskers lost to Northwestern on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Leona Nissen (left) and Mackenzie Derowitsch chat during some one-on-one mentorship time at Lincoln Lutheran on Thursday. The 6-12 school has implemented a new mentor program called Warrior Walk that pairs a middle school student with a high school counterpart.
April and Stormi Mrsny hurtle down the hill on their sled while followed by their dog, Penni, on Monday at Pioneers Park. Chilly temperatures are in the forecast this week ahead of an Arctic air mass that could arrive by the weekend.
Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State address on Wednesday at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Lincoln High School senior Kristie Trinh was recently selected for the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program.
John Lee (left), an opponent of LB77, open carries his great-great grandfather's musket outside a Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday at the Capitol. "This is the only arms that they knew of when they were writing the Constitution," Lee said. LB77 would remove a requirement that gun owners obtain a permit to be able to carry a concealed weapon.
Episode 81 The Showdown: The return of Frank Solich
Luke Mullin
Husker football/baseball reporter
An Omaha native and University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate, Luke reports on Nebraska football and baseball. Luke is in his fourth year with the Journal Star and previously covered prep sports.
