Tag: 2024 Nebraska Football Season

Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 81 Ismael Smith Flores

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 81days.

The countdown to the beginning of Nebraska’s 2024 season is down to 81 days, bringing Huskers tight end Ismael Smith Flores into the player spotlight.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound tight end out of Crowley, Texas is entering his second season with the program after redshirting in his true freshman season last year, not appearing in any games.

As a prospect, Smith Flores was a consensus three-star prospect across the recruiting industry out of Arlington Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. He committed to the Huskers over offers from Colorado State, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Rutgers, Tulane, UTSA, and Vanderbilt.

During his senior season for Arlington Martin, he recorded 16 receptions for 367 yards and three touchdowns.

This season, he is likely to play a depth role in the Huskers offense and likely won’t see too much time on the field, using the season as another chance for a developmental year. That being said, if the situation allows, the Texas native certainly could make his collegiate debut this fall.

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 82 Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 82 days.

Only 82 days remain until Nebraska kicks off their 2024 season against the University of Texas El-Paso Miners and as the countdown continues, Cornhuskers Wire highlights Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda. 

The 6-foot-0, 190-pound wide receiver out of Twentynine Palms, California is in his third season with the Cornhuskers. 

Last fall, the now senior wide receiver missed the entirety of the Huskers season after suffering a season-ending injury in the program’s season opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. 

Prior to the injury, Garcia-Castaneda was vying for a bigger role in the Huskers offense after playing in four games for the Huskers in the 2022 season, his first with the program. In those four games, the former New Mexico State wide receiver showed promise with five receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown. 

As just mentioned, the California native came to Lincoln by way of New Mexico State and Saddleback College following the 2021 offseason. He spent the 2019 season with Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California, earning a spot with New Mexico State in 2020 and 201. In those two seasons with the Aggies, he played in 12 games, recording 42 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns. 

Unfortunately for Garcia-Castaneda, he returns to a Cornhuskers wide receiver room which is deeper following the offseason additions of Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks this offseason. He’ll compete for a rotational role within the Huskers offense. 

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 84 Alex Bullock

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 84 days.

The beginning of the Nebraska Cornhuskers 2024 season is down to just 84 days bringing Cornhuskers wide receiver Alex Bullock in today’s player spotlight.

Bullock is entering his fourth season with the program this fall and his redshirt junior season.

The former Creighton Prepatory School standout originally walked onto the Huskers as part of their 2021 recruiting class. During his senior season at Creighton Prep, he put up huge numbers with 54 receptions for 765 yards and eight touchdowns.

As a true freshman in 2021, Bullock did not see the field but did appear in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2022 on special teams.

Last fall, Bullock saw his playing time take a big step up, earning a key role in the Huskers playing in 12 games including eight starts. Earlier during the end of fall camp, it was reported that Bullock earned a scholarship and was no-longer a walk-on for the program. He made the decision pay off, bringing in 15 receptions, ranking third on the team while totaling 221 yards and one touchdown.

This fall, Bullock should once again have a sizeable role in the Huskers wide receiver rotation.

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 85 Jaidyn Doss

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 85 days.

It’s another day closer to the return of Nebraska’s 2024 season, as the countdown is now down to just 85 days as the Cornhuskers and fans alike continue to prepare for their August 31 matchup against UTEP.

Today’s countdown profile highlights redshirt freshman Jaidyn Doss who is entering his second season with the program after signing with the Huskers as part of their 2023 recruiting class.

Doss was considered a consensus three-star prospect throughout the recruiting industry and chose the Huskers over offers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Oregon, and TCU.

He was also the Huskers’ first signee out of Missouri where he attended Raymore-Peculiar High School since 2017. During his high school career, he totaled over 2,000 receiving yards and finished just shy of 1,000 career rushing yards.

As a true freshman in 2023, Doss played in four games for the Huskers, maintaining his redshirt eligibility. He recorded two receptions for 20 yards in those four games.

This fall, Doss will be a part of the Huskers rotation at wide receiver but likely will have a smaller role in the offense. He’ll likely fill in behind the likes of Isaiah Neyor and Malachi Coleman in the Huskers depth chart at the wide receiver ‘z’ position.

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 86 AJ Rollins

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 86 days.

The countdown continues to roll on as Nebraska fans patiently wait for the Cornhuskers’ season opener against UTEP on August 31. That countdown is now down to 86 days, allowing Cornhuskers Wire to highlight junior defensive lineman AJ Rollins.

Rollins originally came to the Huskers as part of their 2021 recruiting class as a three-star tight end prospect out of Creighton Preparatory in Omaha.

He chose the Huskers over offers from Iowa State, Missouri, and UCF.

As a true freshman in 2021, Rollins played in a pair games at tight end but ultimately redshirted that season. In 2022, still a tight end, he played in five games but did not record any stats yet in his career. Prior to the 2023 season, Rollins made the move to defensive end and played in four games for the Huskers last season. In those four games, he recorded seven tackles including four tackles against Northern Illinois. He also had three tackles last season against the eventual national champions, Michigan Wolverines.

This season the redshirt junior will be a part of the Huskers rotation at defensive end. He’ll likely have a smaller role but should see a bit of a bigger snap count total in 2024 than he did a season ago.

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 87 Nate Boerkircher

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 87 days.

The days continue to get longer but the days until the wait until the kickoff of Nebraska’s 2024 season continues to get shorter. Today marks 87 days until the Cornhuskers begin their 2024 season on August 31 against UTEP.

In today’s countdown profile, Cornhuskers Wire profiles junior tight end Nate Boerkircher.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end is originally out of Aurora, Nebraska where he was a standout at Aurora High School. He originally came to the program as a walk-on alongside his older brother, Ian who was an offensive lineman for the program from 2020 through 2022.

After not playing in the 2020 season, Boerkircher played in three games in 2021 mostly on special teams but did nab his first career reception against Northwestern that season. One year later in 2022, he played in four games, starting all four and recorded six catches for 52 yards and a score.

Last May, Matt Rhule and the Huskers received the former walk-on scholarship. On top of earning his scholarship, Boerkircher was rewarded by becoming the Huskers’ primary starting tight end, playing in all 12 games including seven starts.

He didn’t make a huge impact in the box score, recording five receptions for 51 yards as well as one carry for 11 yards. But the three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection was an integral part to the Huskers’ rushing attack and was a key blocker throughout the season.

In 2024, the Nebraska native will likely reprise a similar role of being one of the Huskers’ top run blockers but will also have his fair share of opportunities to make an impact in the passing game as well.

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 88 Cooper Hausmann

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 88 days.

The countdown to the kickoff of Nebraska’s 2024 season is down to 88 days, bringing Huskers redshirt freshman wide receiver Cooper Hausmann.

After a standout career at Norris High School, Hausmann entered the Huskers program in 2022 as a quarterback before making the transition to wide receiver.

Through his first two years with the program, the Roca, Nebraska native has appeared in one game but has not recorded any stats. In 2024, Hausmann will likely once again see a limited role and may only see a handful of snaps throughout the season.

The Cornhuskers 2024 season is set to begin on August 31 against the UTEP Miners with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. local time at Memorial Stadium.

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 89 Jacory Barney Jr.

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 89 days.

The countdown until the beginning of Nebraska’s 2024 season is down to less than 90 days and with that, our countdown to kickoff here at Cornhuskers Wire brings us our first true freshman to profile, wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr.

Entering his first season with the program, Barney signed with the Huskers as part of their 2024 recruiting class out Miami Palmetto High School in Miami, Florida. Barney was ranked as a three-star recruit by three of four recruiting services with Rivals being the only one to rank the Miami native as a four-star prospect.

In his recruitment, Barney picked up over two dozen scholarship offers including notable offers from Arizona, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Maryland, Miami (FL), Michigan, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Tennessee, and Texas A&M among others.

In the Huskers’ annual spring game, Barney flashed his potential with three receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown.

When it comes to Barney’s role in 2024, the true freshman is going to have an opportunity to make an impact right away this upcoming fall and will factor into the Huskers’ rotation at wide receiver. While it remains to be seen how big of a role he’ll be, Husker fans should see plenty of the former four-star recruit on the field this fall.

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 90 James Williams

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 90 days.

The countdown to the kickoff of Nebraska’s 2024 season is down to 90 days as the Cornhuskers go through summer conditioning preparing for their season opener against UTSA, Cornhuskers Wire profiles redshirt sophomore defensive lineman James Williams.

A 6-foot-5, 235-pound defensive end, Williams is entering his second season with the Huskers after playing in four games in 2023. Williams in his four games played in 2023 flashed potential, racking up two sacks and four tackles.

Prior to arriving in Lincoln, Williams spent one season at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was dominant as a pass rusher, with 19 tackles, six sacks and seven tackles for loss. After that lone season, he made the decision to walk-on with the Huskers.

Despite being a walk-on, Williams has played his way into being a name to know at defensive end for the Huskers.

While he’s not necessarily expected to have a huge role within the defense, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Parkville, Missouri native see time on the field this fall as part of the Huskers rotation at defensive end.

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Nebraska countdown to kickoff profile: No. 91 Freedom Akinmoladun

The countdown to kickoff for the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 2024 season is down to 91 days.

The countdown to Nebraska’s 2024 season is down to 91 days, however, the 2024 Cornhuskers roster does not feature a No. 91. With that, Cornhuskers Wire takes a look back in time at the career of former Huskers defensive end Freedom Akinmoladun.

Akinmoladun originally signed with the Huskers as part of their 2014 recruiting class. The Grandview, Missouri native was actually a three-star tight end prospect coming out of Grandview High School. He ultimately chose the Huskers over offers from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Kansas State.

After spending his true freshman season at tight end in 2014, Akinmoladun made the move to defensive end ahead of the 2015 season. It was a move that paid off quickly for him, playing in 11 games that season including four starts. He would finish the season with 21 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, both among the best for all Huskers defenders that season.

In 2016, the Missouri native became a full-time starter for the Huskers, playing in all 13 games. He recorded a career high 32 tackles in the process including five tackles for a loss and picked up an additional four sacks. He also picked up a team leading 10 quarterback hurries.

After starting in all 13 games as a redshirt sophomore, Akinmoladun would start in each of the next 24 games for the Huskers in his redshirt junior and senior seasons in 2017 and 2018, and finished his career on a streak of 37 career starts. In those two seasons, he combined for 53 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

After completing his career with the Huskers, Akinmoladun enjoyed a brief stint in the NFL, appearing in five games over three seasons, spending time with both the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. He recorded four tackles across those five games.

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