Justin Flowe is back at UNLV for what he describes as one final stint with the Rebels. The 24‑year‑old fifth‑year senior recalls being a five‑star prospect out of Upland High in California, where he was ranked the nation’s top linebacker, captured the 2019 Butkus Award prep honor and earned USA Today’s All‑USA Defensive Player of the Year accolade. He also remembers Dan Mullen arriving on a recruiting visit to his school, noting the coach’s distinctive style.
“He had the champion drip ever,” Flowe said. “Coach Mullen walked successful with the flyest drip successful the world. He has ever been that feline for me.”
Flowe joined Mullen’s program at UNLV after previous stops at Oregon and Arizona. During his time with the Rebels he posted modest statistics—14 tackles, one for loss, and a pass breakup—before entering the transfer portal. Instead of departing, he chose to sit out spring practice, re‑enroll for summer classes and return to the team. His journey, he says, began with his first scholarship offer in 2017 and has been “quite the roller‑coaster of emotions and results.”
Asked about his decision to test the portal, Flowe cited the possibility of a positional shift from traditional linebacker to a hybrid role that would also involve rushing from the edge. He now embraces the change, saying it suits his relentless motor.
“He’s a large kid,” Mullen said. “He’s had injuries passim his career. I’m gladsome he’s backmost and capable to play with us. Hopefully, helium volition person a large twelvemonth and decorativeness his assemblage vocation connected a truly precocious note.”
Mullen added, “He plays truly hard and 1 large happening you tin accidental astir Justin is helium worries astir going hard. He doesn’t interest astir each the different stuff. For an older player, and the maturity with however he’s grown, he’s a feline I person truthful overmuch respect for.”
He noted that Flowe as a former recruit, acknowledging the trajectory.
Instead, Mullen said Mullen decided to play at the highest level of his ability, not dwell on what might have been. That mindset, he said, reflects the player’s character and offers a lesson for the entire roster.
Flowe is enthusiastic about lining up on the edge, taking on blockers one‑on‑one and focusing on bringing down ball carriers. He emphasized that he has played linebacker since age six, so the move to a new alignment represents more than a minor tweak.
Looking ahead, Flowe hinted at interests beyond football.
“I tin spot this arsenic my presumption now,” Flowe said. “I’m acceptable to spell and bash it. I person an arsenal. Taking attraction of my sleep, taking attraction of my film, taking attraction of moving out. Every 2nd is astir football. This is my life. This is what I privation to do.”
He also acknowledged his passion for WWE, noting that he has discussed a possible post‑football career in wrestling entertainment.
“I person been talking to them for a while, but the main extremity is inactive the main goal, and that’s the NFL,” Flowe said. “But if the (WWE) happens, it happens.”
For the present, Flowe is back at UNLV, competing in a new role and striving to meet the standard set by the coach with the “flyest drip.”
“I consciousness similar my household is astatine UNLV,” Flowe said. “I consciousness similar I should ramp things up each day. The ceiling ne’er stops. I request to elevate each day.”
He is described as the elder statesman of the group.