Arizona Wildcats linebacker Justin Flowe named to Lott Trophy watch list

Jun 5, 2023 Updated 1 hr ago Arizona linebacker Justin Flowe was included on the Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list for the upcoming season. Flowe, who transferred from Oregon before the spring, is one of eight Pac-12 players mentioned on the Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list. Named after Pac-12 Hall of Famer and former NFL star Ronnie Lott, the national accolade is given to college football’s top defensive player for performance and character. Last season, former UA defensive tackle and current USC Trojan Kyon Barrs was on the preseason Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. The 6-2, 225-pound Flowe, an Upland, California native and former five-star recruit, left Oregon after an injury-riddled three seasons with the Ducks. Flowe is expected to start at “Mike” linebacker alongside “Will” linebacker Jacob Manu is Johnny Nansen’s 4-2-5 base defense. After the Wildcats’ spring game in April, Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch said, “Justin Flowe and company brought a ton of passion and energy to the practice field that is contagious, and that will take us to where we want to go.” The pipeline between Mater Dei High School and Arizona remains strong in the Fisch era. Kaho Tuihalamaka, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound star defensive tackle from the Southern California powerhouse, announced on Twitter on Monday afternoon that he will join the Wildcats’ 2024 recruiting class. Tuihalamaka selected the UA over Hawaii and Oklahoma State; he also had interest from Oregon and Wisconsin. Tuihalamaka is the latest addition to Arizona from Mater Dei, joining linebacker and Trinity League MVP Leviticus Su’a and defensive linemen Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei and Jacob Kongaika. Arizona’s stretch of landing top talent in the Trinity League started in 2022 when the Wildcats landed a quartet of star players from Anaheim Servite: Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, tight end Keyan Burnett, linebacker Jacob Manu and quarterback Noah Fifita. The Wildcats signed star running back Rayshon Luke (St. John Bosco) and Uiagalelei in that same recruiting class. The Wildcats currently have five commits for 2024: Tuihalamaka, four-star running back Jordan Washington (Long Beach, California), three-star cornerback Isaiah Buxton (Chula Vista, California), three-star wide receiver Brandon Phelps (Gilbert) and three-star linebacker Luke Ferrelli (Carlsbad, California). Extra points The Wildcats had several official visits for 2024 recruits over the weekend. Among the notable visitors: Five-star edge rusher and Salpointe Catholic star Elijah Rushing, three-star Phoenix-area running back Adam Mohammed, three-star San Diego safety Martell Hughes, three-star San Diego-area edge rusher Damarrion White and four-star Bay Area edge rusher Naki Tuakoi, among others. Arizona cumulatively had a record-setting 3.0 GPA in the spring semester. UA wide receiver Jacob Cowing was recently named an Athlon Sports Preseason All-American. Cowing, who led the Pac-12 with 85 receptions last season, was placed on Athlon’s third team.