WATCH: UCLA WR Rico Flores Jr. details return from ACL injury
After a year-long recovery from injury, UCLA wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. did not need to wait much longer to make an impact this past weekend.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava found Flores for a 15-yard catch and a first down on the fourth play against Northwestern.
Flores finished with a team-high four catches for 43 yards, including an 18-yard reception early in the third quarter of the 17-14 road loss.
Flores, a Notre Dame transfer, started the first four games of his debut season with the Bruins before sitting out the remainder of last season with a knee injury. He also missed the first three games of this season.
Flores last appeared in a game Sept. 28, 2024 against Oregon.
At the time, ex-head coach DeShaun Foster kept open the possibility of a return before the end of the 2024 campaign. Instead, all Flores could recall, things got “pretty bad” in a hurry before he was ultimately ruled out and put his sights on 2025.
“I’m back, though,” Flores said, looking back on the return after Tuesday’s practice. “All that don’t really matter anymore. Just happy to be blessed and put in a position I am today.”
Flores was limited to strength and conditioning work in the spring before starting to run and catch passes in individual work during fall camp.
Ahead of his first game back, Flores was informed that he was cleared for action once he proved he could change direction without issue.
Flores said he was overjoyed when he heard the official news.
“A lot of things built up, going through the recovery process, seeing everybody get to play,” Flores said, “and just watching everybody’s mistakes or what they are doing good, and taking that in, taking a lot of mental notes. So when I go out there, I’m ready to go.”
WR Rico Flores Jr.‘s media availability (9/30)
Watch the full interview after Tuesday’s practice below:
