Manny Flores is a wide receiver with the Tri-City Rush. Standing 6’2 and 195 pounds, Flores is the perfect developmental candidate for a USFL, XFL, CFL, or NFL roster. Not only can the 20 year old play any alignment as a wideout he adds value in other ways as well.
Versatility is Key to Getting on the Field
The Tri-City Rush are a team we have talked about here before. They were the defending AWFC champions heading into the 2022 season having gone 9-2 in 2021. Obviously in order to manage this feat, and then later repeat it, they needed to build a deep roster filled with talent.
They were able to do just that despite losing a large amount of their roster from the 2021 team. One of the key members of the roster that stuck with the team was Manuel Flores. Flores got his beginnings with Tri-City Rush in the 2021 season. Behind other receivers, Flores still found playing time by being able to fill many roles for the team.
Whether he was split out wide as a receiver, lining up in the backfield as a runner, or running down with the coverage units on special teams, Flores did whatever the coaches asked for the opportunity to play. In 2022 you can see exactly how big of an impact he had on his team. In just 10 games (including playoffs, and championship game) Flores managed to rack up nearly 400 all purpose yards, 9 touchdowns, 9 tackles, 1 forced fumble and recovery. Not bad for a guy originally seen as a depth piece.
Looking to the Next Level
Flores, like many other players that play in the many indoor football leagues across America, still has a desire to make it to the outdoor game, and namely the NFL. After watching tight end DeShon Williams sign with the Seattle Seahawks last season, Flores now see’s that it’s possible. Looking at his size, weight, speed profile, you begin to understand why I believe Flores will get an opportunity in the outdoor game.
At 6’2 195 lbs he is part of a new wave of players that will run the ball despite being listed as a wide receiver. Part of the desire of the team to get the ball to Flores in the run game is to give the open field specialist the ball in space and let him work. It’s no accident that Flores scored 9 times in 2022. His team, and coaching staff know he has a nose for the endzone anytime he touches the ball. Anytime you score on nearly 1/3 of your touches, coaches are going to want to get you involved.
Able to stretch the field, or go across the middle, Flores isn’t limited to bubble screens, and ways to get him into space either. He has the ability to run the entire route tree, yet again allowing him to find a larger role in an offense that used him primarily as their third or fourth option in the passing game. However Flores had a very specific role when the offense neared the endzone, he was a redzone threat.
Get in the Endzone
Flores seemed to be called upon often when in the redzone. Despite finishing fourth on the team in receptions, he had the third most touchdowns, and in the run game, he was third in carries, but tied for first in rushing touchdowns. All the while still acting as a special teams ace for his back-to-back championship squad.
It’s not often that versatile 6’2 receivers go unnoticed by the bigger outdoor football leagues, and I don’t expect it to start now. I could see Flores playing with the USFL, or XFL in 2023. All he needs is the right set of eyes to see what he can do, and how many ways he affected the game in 2022 to bring him in to compete for playing time. Mark my words, It won’t be long before we see Manny Flores scoring touchdowns on National TV.
