Anyone who tuned into the first game of the Oregon Ducks’ football season against Fresno State a year ago knows linebacker Justin Flowe possesses some special talent.
After missing his freshman season with a knee injury, Flowe was healthy and lined up next to Noah Sewell and Kayvon Thibodeaux, ready to wreak havoc on the opposing offense. He didn’t disappoint, racking up a game-high 14 tackles with one forced fumble.
He was electric.
Unfortunately, a couple of days later, it was revealed that he was also injured.
Flowe had to sit out the Ohio State game with a foot injury, and he ended up missing the entire season after undergoing surgery to heal the broken bone. Now he is back to full health and once again flying around in Oregon’s defensive backfield, this time under the leadership of Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi.
The expectation that he will pick up where he left off last year has Flowe tabbed as one of the biggest breakout players in the 2022 season, per Athlon Sports.
Injuries have robbed Flowe of playing time for two consecutive seasons, but with the former five-star recruit expected to be at full strength in 2022, a breakout year is within reach. In Flowe’s only appearance in ’21, he recorded 14 tackles (and a forced fumble) in Oregon’s win over Fresno State.
The Ducks’ defense is expected to be lethal this season, with a largely healthy group that returns a lot of starters and a number of players who can absolutely play at the next level. If Flowe can stay healthy, there’s a real chance that he and Sewell with make up one of the best linebacking duos in the nation.
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