FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (May 16, 2022) – Graduating high school early to play collegiate football is something that is not seen often at Northern Arizona University.
Quarterback
Angel Flores joined NAU's football program this spring, still just 18 years old and a semester early, after working through the intricacies of graduating early from Casa Grande High School.
Flores' high school career was highlighted by outstanding numbers across his four-year career for the Cougars. Totaling 26 passing touchdowns to four interceptions during his senior season, Flores rushed for 1,292 yards with another 19 touchdowns and 7.9 yards per carry. Flores and Casa Grande finished the 2021 regular season 9-0 and went on to win the 4A Conference State Championship. It was the first Arizona State Championship for Casa Grande since 1958 and the first state title since the creation of the AIA playoffs.
Finishing his high school career with 7,957 passing yards, 3,583 rushing yards, 62 passing touchdowns and 60 rushing touchdowns, Flores' numbers are impressive to say the least. Following the conclusion of his high school career in December, and signing his national letter of intent just five days later, Flores looked to get a jumpstart on his dream of playing collegiate football.
"I began getting recruited by NAU during my sophomore year. They where pretty heavy, recruiting wise," Flores said. "It wasn't a plan necessarily to graduate early, but during my junior year we talked about it and decided it was a smart move. I would be able to come up here and learn the offense and this is something I could really benefit from."
For the regular student, this transition of going off to college may be extremely unique and rarely seen. However, for a student-athlete and specifically a quarterback on the football team, the benefits are numerous. The process was rather smooth for Flores, as it just required some extra schoolwork during the summer. While other high school students enjoyed the break from school during the warmer months, Flores' focus was on something bigger.
"Just the transition and how it worked was," Flores said. "I just took a couple classes during the summer at my high school, so that enabled me to graduate early."
Not only was Flores able to play throughout the spring with NAU, but he was also able to enroll in classes and begin his college education.
There are many benefits to joining the program early. Some were obvious, such as being able to get reps and dive into the playbook months before the rest of the recruiting class arrives in the summer.
"There are countless benefits," Flores said. "Classroom-wise, I'm able to get some credits out of the way. In the weight room, I'm with some of the best strength coaches I've been around, you know. They are getting me right."
Flores also mentioned he enjoyed the environment surrounding the team as it is full of great people and great coaches.
"The team will help elevate me to become a better person," Flores said.
