It’s official. Nebraska has momentum in the recruiting trail for the 2024 class. In just a few days, the Cornhuskers have gained a flurry of commitments from four-star linebacker Miami linebacker Willis McGahee IV as well as a three-star defensive end out of Elkhorn South in Ashton Murphy. On Monday, the Huskers secured another commitment from four-star tight end Ian Flynt over Kansas and Houston. But what does his commitment mean for Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers? Let’s take a look.
COMMITTED!! @CoachMattRhule @BobWager31 @HuskerElza @Omeezi_ pic.twitter.com/nttHDFKG74
— Ian Flynt (@Ian_Flynt) April 24, 2023
A Husker Legacy
It’s not as though Flynt didn’t know what he was getting into with the Cornhuskers. In fact, he knows that he is about to follow in his family’s footsteps in joining the school. His father Darren walked on for the Husker track team in 1994 and later became a national record holder in the hammer throw. But it doesn’t stop there. His sister Amelia Flynt also throws shot put at the school. Now, with Ian’s commitment firmly in the fold, the entire Flynt family will all be connected to the program.
What The Rankings Say About Him
In terms of pure talent, Flynt has plenty to offer for the Cornhuskers. Along with being a Four-star tight end, he is ranked number 61 in the state of Texas. But his stock continues to grow nationally. Out of all the tight ends in the 2024 recruiting class, he is ranked 29th. This is primarily because he only gained 18.4 yards per catch along with a couple of touchdowns. While Bob Wager and Rhule could coordinate their efforts to focus on a more high-profile tight end with more accomplishments to his name, the James E. Taylor product is a perfectly good option for the head coach to add to his position room in the early stages because of his frame and versatility on the offensive side of the ball. This was demonstrated when he caught 10 receptions for 129 yards along with two touchdowns in 2022.
His Relationship With His New Position Coach
Once Flynt stepped on Nebraska’s campus, it was clear that he found what he was looking for. Not only did he learn about Nebraska’s history as a storied program, but he said he also felt that the people of the state were genuine. Because of this, he’s “only felt the positive vibes get bigger with the family ties” that he sees in the program. But the real draw was Wager. In Flynt’s own words, he is impressed by the former high school football coach because he, “Wants to give the athletes everything that he knows for us to learn.” But the most important quality that he sees? “He makes sure to treat you like a person and not just an athlete.”
Read more about Bob Wager here: https://lastwordonsports.com/collegefootball/2023/02/14/nebraska-spring-update-matt-rhules-first-two-months/
His Role In The Offense
It’s clear that Wager has a lot of tight ends that he can use willingly. Whether it is a former Georgia Bulldog in Arik Gilbert or Thomas Fidone II on the roster at Nebraska, Wager has a stable of pass catchers that he can develop under his tutelage. But where does Flynt fit into the conversation? From Wager’s perspective, he fits into the offense as a blocking tight end when the offense decides to run the ball. While some recruits may not be too happy to do this type of work, Flynt welcomes the challenge that a blocking tight end presents in the staff’s offense. In fact, he has an unselfish attitude about it because he knows that it will help him earn time with the ball in his hands.
Nebraska’s Recruiting of Tight Ends Going Forward
It’s clear that Rhule likes what he sees from Flynt. Not only is he a Texas native, but he also has the talent to back up his status. In 2022, he gained 18.4 yards per catch along with a couple of touchdowns. In his conversation with the head coach, Flynt recalls that Rhule “Wants the tight end position to be big at Nebraska.” But to accomplish this feat, there is a need to pick up more talented players in the class. But who will the staff end up picking? Eric Ingwerson from Papillion La-Vista South (NE) has committed to Pitt, and Ainsworth (NE) product Carter Nelson has offers from multiple Power Five programs including Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Will Flynt be able to persuade the two players to join him in Lincoln? Or will they depart for greener pastures outside the state?
Photo courtesy:Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
