Interview: 2018 California 4-Star RB Demetrious Flowers Updates ISU Visit and Next Trips

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The world of sports always seems to provide inspirational stories from overcoming the odds to achieving one’s dreams through hard work and dedication giving hope to others in their actions. If fellow high school football players were ever looking for an inspirational story among their ranks, Demetrious Flowers might provide an uplifting moment.

On the surface there is no real tale of woe for Flowers. The 6-0, 210 pound, running back has the size, speed, and playmaking abilities college coaches covet. Flowers also plays for one of the top high school football programs in the nation – St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California. But after carrying the rock 126 times for 954 yards with 20 scores and hauling in five passes for 81 yards with another touchdown, Flowers was sans an offer much less recruiting interest outside of UCLA and Arizona. Adding to the shock of the lack of recruiting attention, the Braves posted a 13-2 season pulling it all together for a California Division-I state championship in 2016; an opportunity to draw even more attention from the college ranks.

Flowers entered the start of the camp exposure season this spring with a chip on his shoulder ready to showcase his talents wanting college coaches to see what they are missing. After a standout performance at the Under Armour All-American Camp in Orange County in February, the patience and hard work started to payoff. In less than a month, the four-star prospect went from no offers to four with UCLA, Arizona State, Hawaii, and Iowa State seeing a difference maker for their program. Interest has picked up nationally with Washington, Boise State, and Texas getting into the mix.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with the patient but talented Class of 2018 rising star getting an update on his off-season recruiting process that included an unofficial weekend visit to Iowa State with fellow 2018 quarterback teammate Re-al Mitchell.

*Click link to read Re-al Mitchell’s interview covering his Iowa State visit.

Interview

Demetrious, you took an unofficial visit over the weekend to Iowa State with your dad and Re-al Mitchell and his father, what all did you do when you were there?

“When we got there the coaches showed us around. We interacted with the players and actually spent the night with the players. We had a lot of fun at their practice watching the players and coaches.”

What did you think of Iowa State’s practice? What caught your eye?

“The intensity there was really high. There was a lot competition on the field. We saw a live scrimmage. The players were competing hard and the coaches were fired up.”

When you interacted with the players and spent the night with them, what sense of the program did you get from the players about the coaching staff?

“Most of the players were telling me that they really love it there in Iowa. They feel at home there. They are the only team there other than the Hawkeyes in the state. The Iowa State program gets a lot of attention in Iowa. They don’t have a professional sports team there. The players said the coaches are great.”

Which coaches did you meet with during your visit?

“I met with running backs coach, Coach Louis (Ayeni) and Iowa State’s head coach, Coach (Matt) Campbell. I got to talk to their cornerbacks coach, Coach (D.K.) McDonald some too.”

What did the Coach Campbell talk about with you?

“He talked about where he sees himself with the university and the program within the Big 12. He sees the program growing and being better than where they were a couple of years ago beating Texas and Oklahoma getting to the top of the conference, which I really liked.”

Did Coach Louis talk about ISU’s run game scheme and how you would fit into their system if you played there?

“The offense is just like ours at Bosco, only the names of the plays are the only differences. We went over cut-backs and reads, which are the same as ours. He taught me some new things too, which I really liked. I fit the offense perfectly. Coach Louis likes how I get downhill quickly. He did say they only redshirt people if they are injured or do not know the plays. They like to rotate their backs in the game, something I liked hearing.”

What areas of the campus and/or facilities did you tour?

“We saw the weight room, practice field, stadium, and we looked around off-campus to see everything. We went to see their academic counselors. They were really nice. We drove around the university and saw the players’ dorms, which are really nice too.”

What was your overall impression of the campus and facilities?

“To be honest, the campus has a lot of agriculture around it but it is a nice college town. The weather out there is really cold. Other than that, it is a really nice university.”

Overall, how did the visit go for you?

“The coaching staff was great. With all the presentations and them showing us around, I felt like part of the team during the visit.”

Did you make any plans to return back to the ISU campus for another visit?

“I did. I’m trying to see if I can take an official visit there. I want to take an official there but I want to visit before then. I don’t know if I can on my spring break, hopefully before the season begins sometime over the summer.”

Do you have another visit scheduled?

“During my spring break I’m going to visit the Texas Longhorns (April 13-15) then I’m going to ASU (Arizona State). After ASU I’m trying to push to go to Washington. When I come back home I’m going to UCLA, which is right around the corner from me.”

You have blown up on the recruiting trail over the past couple of weeks. How many offers do you have now?

“I have four – UCLA, ASU, Hawaii, and Iowa State.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered?

“Washington, Texas, and Boise State.”

Are you going to any camps coming up?

“No. I’m focused on my game and getting ready for my senior year.”

How are off-season workouts going at Bosco?

“Our workouts are going great. Bosco has us doing a lot of speed training and working out in the weight room.”

Are you getting excited for the start of your senior season already?

“I am. We play St. Thomas Aquinas in our first game in Florida.”

That’ll be a really big game. What has you excited about that game?

“They are a good team. The exposure going to Florida, and with the game being on ESPN, I know a lot of colleges will be there watching.”

Demetrious, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Flowers family; Demetrious Flowers at Iowa State (March 2017).