Mississippi State-bound QB Josh Flowers producing at a high clip as a senior

Josh Flowers has been one of Alabama’s most productive quarterbacks for each of the past three seasons.

Seven into his senior year, the Mississippi State-bound playmaker has surpassed 2,200 total yards. Flowers is completing 70 percent of his passes (87-of-124) for 1,465 yards and 15 touchdowns compared to two interceptions. The On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 29-ranked passer also has 775 yards rushing on 8.5 YPC with 10 more touchdowns.

Flowers is not only leading the state in yardage more than midway through his senior year. He’s got Mobile (Ala.) Baker High School back on the map and he’s a major catalyst as to why.

“He’s the best quarterback in the state,” Baker High OC Chase Calcagni told On3. “He’s just an unreal kid. He’s gonna be special.”

That was made exceedingly clear as a sophomore when Flowers enjoyed a breakout campaign and turned the heads of college programs like Florida, Auburn and Alabama almost immediately.

In 2021, Flowers completed 68 percent of his attempts for almost 2,000 yards, 20 touchdowns and two interceptions with nearly 900 yards and 12 more scores on the ground. After a junior season clouded by injuries to the offensive line and skill positions on the Baker High offense, Flowers is on track to smash those statistics as a senior.

“Josh has done what he’s always been capable of doing, and he’s continually gotten better,” Calcagni explained. “Last year, we had some hiccups. We weren’t very healthy. We didn’t have all our weapons, so it made it tough. Josh still played remarkably and he did what he could do when you lose your supporting cast.”

He did more.

After losing his top receivers for long stretches of last season, Flowers worked alongside receivers Bryce Cain (Auburn) and Kevin Beckham Jr. (Troy) throughout the offseason. That time spent has quickly paid dividends this fall for an offense that’s not only healthy but highly explosive.

“It’s what you’ve always expected,” Calcagni started. “He was like this as a sophomore. He’s a commander. He knows the offense like the back of his hand, which is a beautiful thing for any coach to have. He’s a brilliant kid and he’s football smart … He’s very smart and one of the best decision-makers I’ve been around. His decision-making ability is remarkable, and it comes from film study and studying the offense and knowing your players.”

“He’s an introvert,” his coach added. “But when he’s on the field, he’s different. He’s locked in and never over the top, always calm, cool, and collected, and everyone listens to him.”

The growth over the offseason coincided with Flowers’ commitment to the Mississippi State Bulldogs. It also might have opened a doorway for the quarterback’s future beyond the field.

Flowers’ emphasis on development this offseason — working with his teammates and organizing team activity — has also opened up a new avenue for the quarterback … possibly in coaching down the line.

“Josh is like having an extra assistant coach. When he’s not on the field, he’s coaching on the field, he goes to all JV games, the ninth-grade games, coaching kids up,” Calcagni said. “He used to not know what he wanted to be, now he wants to be a coach, and he’s special. Mississippi State is getting a really once-in-a-lifetime type of kid.”

As a senior, it’s showing.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Flowers is making big plays over the top and also on the ground. He has his coaches mentioning him in the same breath as MVP candidates like Jalen Hurts and Heisman candidates like Riley Leonard.

“Alabama had success with guys like Jalen Hurts and Jalen Milroe, and Riley Leonard at Duke, teams that had success with a QB that can pull that ball and run and make it an 11 vs. 11 game,” Calcagni explained.

“Josh is gonna be able to do that. He can help out and make it 11 vs. 11. His resemblance to Jalen Hurts’ mentality, Dak Prescott’s ability, and Geno Smith’s throwing ability … he’s a blend between those guys. He’s big like Dak, but shifty. He can stick his foot in the ground and cut, his cutting ability is unreal, now if you put on the tape he looks like he’s been throwing the ball his whole life. He’s an incredible decision-maker, can throw any pass any ball in the book, has an incredible arm, and he’s also a great person, a great human being, and he’s got a good head on his shoulder.”