Editor’s note: The Star’s Zack Rosenblatt is counting down the 50 best athletes on the UA campus right now, with help from athletes, coaches and those close to the program.
No. 28: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
The details: Flannigan-Fowles is a 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound safety from Tucson entering his junior season. He played two seasons at Tucson High — as a junior, he was selected to the Star’s All-Southern Arizona first team — before transferring to Mountain View for his senior season. However, the Arizona Interscholastic Association deemed him ineligible and he was forced to sit out the entire season. He was already committed to the Wildcats 2015 recruiting class at that point, committing verbally shortly after receiving his first, and only, offer from his hometown school. Arizona stuck with him and intended to grayshirt him for 2015, making him a true freshman the following year. But out of necessity the Wildcats brought him in sooner and he earned playing time in all 13 games in 2015.
“That helped me mature faster,” Flannigan-Fowles said. “It helped me see how the game is played and helped me just be able to take that into account going into the next season.”
The numbers: In 2015, Flannigan-Fowles was mostly a reserve and frequent contributor to Arizona’s “S.W.A.T.” defensive package in passing situations. He recorded 28 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and one forced fumble as a freshman. As a sophomore, he was one of Arizona’s best defensive players, contributing 78 total tackles — 59 solo — with four tackles for loss, two interceptions and six pass deflections.
The value: On an extremely young defense, the Wildcats will need Flannigan-Fowles to emerge not only as one of its best players, but as a team leader. Arizona lost two seniors — corner DaVonte’ Neal and safety Tellas Jones — from its secondary from last season, and the Wildcats haven’t had a bona fide playmaker at safety since Tra’Mayne Bondurant a couple of seasons ago. Flannigan-Fowles has an NFL body and has flashed potential, but the Wildcats need him to take the next step.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Flannigan-Fowles said. “I’m feeling more comfortable that I know the speed, I know what to expect, I know the time and effort you have to put in to prepare yourself for Saturdays, so I’m getting there. I’ve accepted the challenge.”
Why Flannigan-Fowles? Arizona will likely have all newcomers at its traditional linebacker positions — senior DeAndre’ Miller will be the “stud” linebacker, which is a cross between defensive end and linebacker — including a true freshman, coupled with an undersized defensive line. If the Wildcats are going to show any improvement on defense next season, they’ll need the secondary to step up. At safety, sophomores Isaiah Hayes and Tristan Cooper have had flashes of potential, as have Jace Whittaker and Dane Cruikshank at corner. Coupled with Flannigan-Fowles, the secondary might be Arizona’s most talented defensive group, and it will be the Tucsonan who will be expected to lead the way. It helps that he’s bulked up — as a freshman, he only weighed 160, now he’s up to 210.
“Physically is where I made the most progress,” he said. “I was, man, I was small my freshman year. I was sore longer, now I can recover quicker. Even last year I felt a little small. Hopefully I can do something this year.”
Proof he’s good: Flannigan-Fowles’ two interceptions were tied for the team lead last season and he’s the UA’s leading returning tackler, second only to Paul Magloire, who’s now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was particularly impressive last season against Grambling State (nine tackles, one for loss, one interception), Hawaii (one interception), in a near-upset of Washington (eight tackles, all solo, with two pass breakups), USC (11 tackles, 10 solo) and Oregon State (career-best 13 tackles, one for loss).
What Flannigan-Fowles can accomplish: If Flannigan-Fowles can continue to make strides, particularly in the forced-turnover department, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if he led the Wildcats in both tackles and interceptions next season. If his numbers improve across the board, he might be Arizona’s best candidate for All-Conference honors. Beyond that, Flannigan-Fowles can improve his draft profile heading into his senior season in 2018.
Coachspeak: ”He’s making strides, and you can see a difference in him. 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. ... You come with a great work ethic, we’ll put you in a position to make plays. He’s done so, so far.” — UA safeties coach Jahmile Addae last season
He said it: “I’m learning the defense, trying to learn it like it’s the back of my hand, knowing all the checks. Watching film during the offseason has helped me a lot so I can think quicker on the field. ... Film is just the best thing for you. If I watch, it doesn’t even have to be me sitting there for hours on end watching film. If I just sit there and I watch 30 minutes, 45 minutes a day of just film, or just watch a cut-up a day, I can improve. I can take that next step to where I want to be.” — Flannigan-Fowles
