When Zane Flores moved to Stillwater, he didn’t mind, but it still worried his father.

He enrolled early as the top recruit of OSU’s 2023 class and the next freshman quarterback to enter the program.

It wasn’t too drastic of a change, but his father, Mel, called his son on multiple occasions. Each time, Flores would reply with an adamant answer.

He spent the past four years as the starting quarterback for Gretna High School, establishing one of the most decorated careers in program history. He compiled a 30-4 record as a starter, 111 total touchdowns, two state championship appearances and one title. Yet, minimal attention followed. But few things bother Flores, and the slow start to his recruitment didn’t either.

“Zane has always been a patient, level-headed kid,” Mel said. “It’s something that has carried him through is high school career. It’s been a driving point in his success.”

Through it all, he now finds himself in the mix for the starting quarterback spot that OSU coach Mike Gundy said is open.

While other quarterbacks on the roster, such as Alan Bowman and sophomore Garret Rangel have experienced live college football, he still has an opportunity to start as a true freshman.

***** Mike Kayl, who at the time was in his second season as Gretna’s coach, would study and analyzed Flores’ body language and emotional state. He didn’t know when Flores’ opportunity would come, but the second-year coach felt it was inevitable.

It was the quarterback’s freshman season, and to Kayl’s recollection, he was the only freshman on the sideline for that game.

The offensive struggles compiled, and Kayl wanted a change at quarterback. So, he called out to his first-year signal caller. There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in response.

Helmet on, chinstrap snapped and shoes tied. Moments later, he was in the huddle. A 14-year-old, targeted a herd of older, hostile student-athletes is intimidating for most. Yet, the nerves weren’t visible according to Kayl.

“That’s usually a daunting task for a freshman,” Kayl said. “But Flores treated it just like another game, even though it was his first time seeing live reps.”

Flores captured the starting spot by the third game. Although the team posted a 3-6 record, Kayl said he knew Flores was one he and his staff could build around.

Flores was only in his first year, but in his coach’s eyes, he was conducting himself in the manner of an upperclassman.

“In my 23 years of coaching experience, he’s the first freshman to start at quarterback,” Kayl said. “But he wasn’t acting like a freshman. He’s not a big talker off the field. He wasn’t a big ‘hoo-hah’ guy, even though he could have backed it up.”

His sophomore season featured a 6-2 season and a state playoff appearance. One season after that, he led his team to a 12-1 record and a state title.

Still, he wasn’t satisfied. “Zane doesn’t like to lose,” Mel said. “If it were up to Zane, he probably would choose an undefeated regular season over a Cinderella run to the state title. He hates losing more than he likes winning. While he had to deal with a lot of it his freshman year, I think that early exposure geared him towards the player we saw down the road.”

Flores’s senior season featured 3,117 yards and 31 touchdowns and a 65.5 completion percentage. Good enough to help Gretna to an undefeated regular season and a second consecutive appearance in the championship game. There, he set a Nebraska state title game record in passing yards with 414. But he lost.

Kayl grabbed him by the shoulder pads. Tears were subtly rolling down his face as he thanked him repeatedly, managing to contain an emotional breakdown.

Kayl was in a state of awe. It was the last time for the two would share the same sideline for a football game.

“He responded with class like he always did,” Kayl said. “Even with the confetti flying down for the other team, he kept a level head and watched it with me.”

***** Mel and Cindy Flores were startled.

Their son let out a cry of emotion.

The Flores family was on vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks after the state championship game.

Flores received an invitation to the Elite 11, a prestigious showcase event in California where the top high school quarterbacks nationwide compete head-to-head in various drills “He was on cloud nine,” Mel said. “I hadn’t seen him that happy in a long time.”

A lifelong goal had finally become a reality.

Mitch Sherman, a beat writer for The Athletic, drew comparisons to a prime Jameis Winston and DeShaun Watson.

Prior to the event, Flores wasn’t on many’s radars. But why? How could a quarterback with a number of accolades receive little attention from college coaches?

“Nebraska football isn’t the most pristine competition,” Sherman said. “With that being said, he wasn’t throwing to Power Five wide receivers or Division 1 running backs like other were. No, he had to throw them open and lead them. Th passing game was almost all on him.”

Ari Wasserman, the lead college football recruiting writer for The Athletic, attended the Elite 11. From his sample size, he said he believes Gundy and his staff got the steal of the 2023 class.

“His measurables may not jump off the page, but I saw him at the Elite 11,” Wasserman said in a story published on the site. “Mike Gundy may have stolen a gem here.”

The following week, in came the offers. Despite it, Flores remained committed to OSU.

Since his time at the Elite 11, Sherman saw drastic growth.

“I’d seen him play for a couple of years and thought he would do well at the Elite 11,” Sherman said. “After that, I knew other programs were missing out. I think a lot of teams were waiting to see how their roster and recruiting classes lined up. But I thought it was a huge mistake on the part of Nebraska and other nearby powerhouse programs.”

***** Under Gundy, five freshmen have earned a starting spot at some point during their first seasons: Wes Lunt, Mason Rudolph, Spencer Sanders, Shane Illingworth and Garret Rangel.

The glaring issue regarding OSU’s quarterback room in 2023 is its experience – or lack thereof.

While Sherman said he doesn’t believe starting Flores for the season opener is in OSU’s best interest, but could see him take over at some point.

“The best thing about freshmen, is they become sophomores,” Sherman said. “I don’t think it’s ideal to throw a guy like Flores into the line of fire this early simply because those freshmen still need time to develop. I don’t think it’s so much that Flores can’t handle it. If he were forced into action later in the year, I think he’d be just fine given proper development of course.”

Could Flores handle the load of responsibilities that come with being a starting quarterback as a true freshman?

“I think so,” Kayl said. “The best part of his game is that he’s a winner, plain and simple. He just finds ways to win. That’s something you just can’t teach. For some people, it just comes naturally.”