Arizona Wildcats linebacker Justin Flowe — also known as "Heem" — is expected to be among the UA's top newcomers on defense this season. (Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star)
Former Arizona linebacker Justin Flowe is finishing his college football journey in Las Vegas at UNLV. Flowe committed to the Rebels on Friday afternoon.
Flowe joins UNLV after playing a reserve linebacker role at Arizona the last two seasons.
Flowe was the top-rated inside linebacker for the 2020 recruiting class and signed with the Oregon Ducks as a five-star prospect out of Upland High School (California).
UNLV head coach Dan Mullen tried recruiting Flowe to Florida, when he was the head coach of the Gators from 2018-21. Mullen became a TV broadcaster for ABC and ESPN after he was fired by Florida. Mullen returned to coaching and was named head coach of UNLV in December. He replaced Barry Odom, who’s now the head coach at Purdue.
Flowe dealt with injuries at Oregon and only played in 12 games in three seasons. During the pandemic-influenced 2020 season, Flowe missed the entire season with a knee injury; he also missed most of the ‘21 season with a foot injury. He had 35 tackles in his last season at Oregon.
Justin Flowe, left, pumps up his teammates during an Arizona spring football practice on March 21.
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star
Flowe transferred to Arizona for the 2023 season and recorded a career-high 44 total tackles (13 solo, 31 assists) with two stops for loss and a sack, but his production tapered off in the second half of Arizona’s 10-win season that was capped by a win over Oklahoma at the Alamo Bowl. Flowe was a standout performer against run-heavy teams, but sometimes struggled in pass coverage.
Flowe appeared in four games as a special teams contributor in 2024, before redshirting. In the spring, Flowe didn’t have a prominent role at linebacker, with returning starter Taye Brown, Texas State transfer Max Harris, Montana transfer Riley Wilson, edge rusher-converted-linebacker Chase Kennedy and redshirt sophomore Leviticus Su’a taking most of the reps.
Flowe is one of seven Arizona players to enter the transfer portal since the spring practices ended.
