Justin Flowe can be an elite linebacker at the heart of Arizona’s defense, head coach Jedd Fisch told reporters this week at his signing day press conference.

The Wildcats signed 22 prospects when the Early Signing Period opened, but in the same way as last year, there was just as much excitement over the transfers Arizona signed. There were big names. None bigger than Flowe, a former 5-star recruit who comes to Tucson after three seasons at Oregon.

Health was a major concern for Flowe early in his career. He played two games in his first two seasons. But Fisch says they’re getting a healthy linebacker who can be a difference-maker for a defense hoping for major improvement in 2023. Flowe will enroll in January and go through spring ball, Fisch said.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Flowe was the sixth-ranked recruit in the 2020 class and the best inside linebacker, according to the industry-generated 247 Composite.

In 10 games this season, Flowe posted 35 tackles and 2.5 for loss. He saw his snaps diminish as the year went on and finished as the second lowest-graded linebacker for the Ducks. He was, however, the highest-graded run defender on the Ducks.