The Arizona Wildcats’ leader in interceptions is only a sophomore, has four career starts, didn’t play his senior year of high school, arrived at the UA later than most of his classmates and describes himself as “a mama’s boy to the fullest.”
Among the 20-plus members of Arizona’s 2015 signing class, safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles didn’t seem like a leading candidate for the fast track. Yet 16 games into his college career, the Tucsonan has emerged as a leader on the Wildcats’ defense.
Flannigan-Fowles has interceptions in back-to-back games and ranks third on the team with 15 tackles. Even more significant, one of Arizona’s quietest players has become one of its loudest on-field voices.
“He’s a smart kid,” senior safety Tellas Jones said Wednesday. “He’s a general out there. He gets everybody lined up. He knows all the calls. We need that.”
Flannigan-Fowles has made significant strides in a short period of time for Arizona, which hosts No. 9 Washington on Saturday. But before we examine his growth as a Wildcat, let’s go back a bit.
A standout wide receiver, Flannigan-Fowles transferred from Tucson High to Mountain View before his senior year. He and his family had moved into Mountain View’s district. The decision was a “family choice,” said Demetrius’ mother, Kurtisha Flannigan, intended mainly to benefit Demetrius’ younger brother and cousin.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association didn’t see it that way and ruled Flannigan-Fowles ineligible. The family and his new school fought the ruling but lost.
So Flannigan-Fowles had to sit out the season. His mom described the situation as “upsetting,” “depressing” and “frustrating.”
“But we knew that God had a plan for him,” she said. “We knew as a family we were going to continue to pray, let God do his work, and he did.”
As much as he loathed having to sit out, Flannigan-Fowles had something to look forward to: a football scholarship at his hometown school.
Flannigan-Fowles had committed the previous summer, and the UA stuck by him throughout his senior-year ordeal. But when Arizona announced its 2015 class, Flannigan-Fowles’ name wasn’t on the list.
Flannigan-Fowles hadn’t been cleared academically by the NCAA. It took until late June for his grades and test scores to be approved. Arizona shoehorned Flannigan-Fowles into the roster, and he made an almost immediate impression.
Despite the lost season, NCAA delay and transition to a new position, Flannigan-Fowles played in all 13 games as a defensive sub and special-teamer. He recorded 28 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. He was just getting started.
Under new safeties coach Jahmile Addae, Flannigan-Fowles has blossomed. He’s seeing plays before they develop, directing traffic and taking better angles.
“He’s making strides, and you can see a difference in him,” Addae said earlier this season. “I’d like to say that’s all me and beat my chest, but he’s come with a work ethic that’s second to none.
“At this level, that’s what you need. You come with a great work ethic, we’ll put you in a position to make plays. He’s done so, so far.”
Flannigan-Fowles, who starts at the “Bandit” safety position, says Addae’s philosophy is simple: see ball, go get ball.
“Wherever the ball is,” Flannigan-Fowles said, “I’m trying to hunt.”
There’s more to it than that, of course. Flannigan-Fowles has become more disciplined with his eyes. And he’s generally more comfortable, which is enabling him to play faster.
Flannigan-Fowles’ relatively rapid progress and development as a leader doesn’t surprise Kurtisha. Demetrius, 20, always has been a responsible older brother to DeShaun, 18, and Dillon, 8. But no one is closer to Demetrius than his mother. Demetrius’ father lives in Florida and isn’t a regular presence in his life.
“Nobody can break that bond, ever,” Demetrius said of his relationship with Kurtisha, a teacher on the Tohono O’odham reservation who specializes in student behavior.
“My mama’s in Tucson, and I hate being away from her. I see her all the time. Sometimes I tell her to come over just ’cuz.”
Demetrius doesn’t ask his mom to visit to cook him meals or do his laundry. “I haven’t done Demetrius’ laundry since he was a freshman in high school,” Kurtisha said.
He just likes hanging out with her. The two used to have “date nights.” It’s hard to find the time during the football season. But Demetrius recently made the time to attend Dillon’s eighth birthday party at a bowling alley. In the offseason, Demetrius regularly joins the family for Sunday services at Gideon Missionary Baptist Church.
“He’s pretty much a family kind of young man,” Kurtisha said. “Anything we do as a family, he generally is right there, involved.”
Kurtisha signed Demetrius up for music classes when he was a kid, but his uncle Harold had other ideas. Harold registered Demetrius for flag football when he was 6. He showed potential as a field general before that.
“When he was little, 2 years old, he would carry this radio with him,” Kurtisha said. “He’s a soft-spoken young man, doesn’t talk very much, not boisterous. But he would get on this little microphone and literally start preaching. He wouldn’t say anything and then, ‘Amen!’ ”
Sixteen years later, the family’s prayers were answered.
Extra points
- Jones said his sprained left ankle is about 90 percent healed and he’s “optimistic” that he’ll be able to play against Washington. Jones sat out the past 2½ games after getting hurt in the opener against BYU. He dressed and warmed up for the Hawaii game but did not play.
- UA coach Rich Rodriguez wouldn’t tip his hand regarding the quarterback situation for UW. Said Rodriguez: “What time’s the game Saturday? 7:30? Stay tuned to 7:29. We’ll have a good idea.” Rodriguez said Tuesday that Anu Solomon (knee) would have to practice to be available to play. Brandon Dawkins has played the past two games and appears to be in line for his third straight start.
- Redshirt sophomore Zach Werlinger was the No. 2 quarterback the past two games, Rodriguez said, and presumably would be again if Solomon is unable to return. Arizona would like to redshirt freshman quarterback Khalil Tate if possible. But the coaches are getting him ready to play just in case. “It’s a long season,” Rodriguez said, “so we’ll wait and see what happens.”
- Redshirt sophomore guard Christian Boettcher has earned a scholarship, Rodriguez said. The former walk-on started last week, played both guard spots and is among Arizona’s top seven linemen.
- Rodriguez has downplayed the motivation/payback angle this week. Arizona lost 49-3 loss at UW last season. “I think all that motivation crap is way overrated,” Rodriguez said. “You’re either ready to play or not. If you can’t get ready to play for this one, you ought not suit up.”
