Rico Flores Jr. will be a good addition to wherever he winds up

Rico Flores Jr. transferred to UCLA in 2024 coming over from Notre Dame. He initially committed to Notre Dame out of high school as a four-star recruit. But didn’t get the opportunities that he wanted there and decided to hit the portal. Deciding on UCLA for the 2024 season. He was off to a good start with 12 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in about three and a half games of work. Then he came down with a torn ACL that would hold him out of the final eight plus games of the season.

He returned this season for the Northwestern game and worked his way back into the fold. Although he didn’t get many opportunities as UCLA’s offense struggled to get the ball down the field. Which a huge reason was due to Nico Iamaleava not having time to throw the ball. Flores Jr. showed he still has good speed post ACL surgery and can run crisp routes. He didn’t show any hesitation on that surgically repaired knee planting and cutting in and out of his routes.

Flores Jr. will have two years of eligibility when he ultimately decides on his next team. Just like with any player who hits the portal, it isn’t 100% that a player leaves. But it is very unlikely that they flip and come back. Because it involves them doing so and then the new coaching staff wanting them back as well. It is one piece of the offense that Bob Chesney and his staff will have to replace. Flores Jr. played in eight games and had 26 catches for 274 yards. Nothing spectacular but given what the offense was, the numbers are skewed.

Flores Jr. will now be almost a full two years removed from ACL surgery as he sets sights on another team. He has the speed to get to the back level of a defense and a college style body for receiver. He is 6’2 with a good upper body frame and long arms. There is an offensive coordinator out there that will be happy to get him and integrate into their offense.