Can MJ Flowers improve the UConn Huskies’ rushing attack?

Last season, the UConn Huskies finished their FBS season with one of the game’s most prolific rushing attacks. The Huskies ran for over 192 yards per game, 23rd amongst all FBS schools. UConn relied on its lead tailback (Camryn Edwards), while then adding freshmen Durell Robinson and Mel Brown and quarterback Nick Evers into the mix. The running game, which broke a single-game FBS program record for yardage against Florida Atlantic in Week 4 of last season, was a major reason for UConn’s 2024 breakthrough. However, Jim Mora and the Huskies recognized that a change was needed after losing pieces in the transfer portal. With Robinson gone and uncertainty at the signal caller, UConn searched for its next elite playmaker. And to maintain their success from a season ago, UConn hopes MJ Flowers can live up to his potential.

UConn Football: Who is MJ Flowers?

MJ Flowers enters his first FBS season at the collegiate level with UConn this season. However, his previous football success gives Huskies fans many reasons for excitement. Before joining FCS’ Eastern Illinois, Flowers showcased his talents in high school. At Colerain HS in Cincinnati, Ohio, Flowers was a team captain and high-level contributor.

With the Cardinals, Flowers ran for over 800 yards and 14 touchdowns in his junior season, followed by over 1400 yards on seven yards per carry as a senior. Along with 17 touchdowns, Flowers helped lead the Cardinals to the first round of the Ohio D1 state playoffs.

Flowers also had to overcome personal hurdles in high school. Growing up in a very Christian household, he stopped going to church during high school and told The Daily Eastern News that he “started to do things that I said I wouldn’t do and going around people that had bad influences on me.” Eventually, he was led back to his religious roots, where he could then focus on football and his future in college.

Like all high-level talents, Flowers expressed interest in joining various other anonymous schools before eventually commuting to Eastern Illinois.

Journey to Connecticut

Flowers didn’t play much in his first year at Eastern Illinois, and decided to redshirt his freshman season. Yet in year two, Flowers shone with the Panthers in 2023. Not only was Flowers the runner-up to Eli Gillman for the Jerry Rice FCS Freshman of the Year award, but he was also the Big South/OVC Freshman of the Year. He finished the year with over 850 yards and eight touchdowns.

Over 650 of those yards came in his three best games of the season. In his third game as a redshirt freshman, Flowers ran for 272 yards on a 7.1 YPC average in a 31-28 win over McNeese. To no surprise, he was awarded National FCS Freshman of the Week for his duties. It was the third-highest single-game rushing total in program history.

Towards the end of the season, he once again broke off a pair of elite performances. On November 11 against Tennessee State, he went for 201 yards and four touchdowns, while finishing his season with a modest 179-yard rushing day.

The next season, Flowers added on to those mechanics, finishing with yet another solid season. With another 800+ yard campaign, Flowers was credited with first team All-Big South/OVC honors at running back. He finished his season fourth among all conference players in rushing yardage, and third in all-purpose yardage.

Last year, Flowers ran for over 100 yards in three different contests, which included 194 on November 2 against Western Illinois. With an opportunity for more media attention and to become a primary back at the FBS level, Flowers transferred to Connecticut, hoping his FCS success will translate with the Huskies.

What value does MJ Flowers add to UConn?

Flowers is a rough-and-tough, explosive runner out of the backfield. He can play in a combination of sets, oftentimes in high school lining up as a fullback to confuse defenses. This system is one worth looking out for, as if he can improve his pass-blocking mechanics, defenses will be lost trying to figure out who to guard.

Last season, according to Pro Football Focus, Flowers was on the field for 232 rushing plays. Yet, he only ran the ball 212 times. That shows the Panthers were trying to utilize his versatility in their offense when not giving him the ball.

While his speed and agility is evident when plowing down the field, Flowers uses his strength and tenacity to create the all-around package at running back. Sound familiar? Yes, Flowers is very much like Derrick Henry based off his high school tape.

In the transfer portal, @UConnFootball landed running back MJ Flowers (@mjflowers_) from Eastern Illinois. And looking at the high school tape, Flowers is very similar to Derrick Henry in the way he operates as a tailback: #UConnFootball | @LeagueWinnersCF pic.twitter.com/79qgICKIJ9

— Chase Coburn (@coolsportskid) June 16, 2025

Not to mention, Flowers does also add value in the receiving game. He compiled 347 yards and three touchdowns on 45 catches a year ago, his longest going for 64 yards. And his versatile skillset keeps him in the game on passing downs and situations. Last season, Flowers was on the field for 411 passing snaps, and just 232 rushing per PFF.

For context, last season, Ashton Jeanty played a significantly larger amount on rushing plays than passing plays. Even someone as prolific as Jeanty wouldn’t play as frequently in passing situations. It’s clear that defenses have to respect Flowers’ pass-catching abilities while also trying to grapple their way around getting him down on the ground.

While Flowers isn’t a dual-threat, his bevy of options in offensive positioning and skillset could make him and elite do-it-all back in UConn’s offensive scheme.

What to expect in 2025

So, like all players transferring from the FCS level, the glaring question is whether his success will translate? Because even with EIU, Flowers was inconsistent, and a few incredible games each season defined his statistical prowess. He’ll have to provide more consistency out of the backfield for the Huskies if he wants to receive frequent playing time.

While he possesses perhaps the most potential of any tailback on the roster, Camryn Edwards has been a reliable lead-back for two seasons now, and Mel Brown has had more exposure to Gordon Sammis’ offense. Even Victor Rosa is hoping to respond, as his 11-touchdown efforts in 2022 were vital to the Huskies breakthrough a few seasons ago.

It will be an uphill climb for Flowers to receive major playing time in 2025. Currently, Ourlads has Flowers listed third on the running back depth chart behind Edwards and Brown.

With that being said, the sky is the limit for Flowers. Last season, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding where Durell Robinson would fit into this offense. What happened? He became the most productive runner in a three-RB system and now has found his way on the SEC’s Auburn Tigers with a national TV slot every week.

In the new landscape of college athletics, a player can go from nothing-to-something very quickly. And if Flowers harness that potential in 2025, he might become a prominent starter at a power-conference sooner-rather-than later.