UTEP Football Feature - Reynaldo Flores

Reynaldo Flores has an inspiring story. Referred to as “Rey” by his teammates and coaches, he’s grinded his way to stardom with the UTEP football program – his hometown team.

For Miner fans, it’s been truly special to watch “The 915” product perform in the Sun Bowl. The redshirt senior RB/WR has produced career numbers in 2022. Flores shined in the season opener with his first career 100- yard game (8 rec., 122 yards) on “915 Night”. He punched in a three-yard rushing score – the first TD of his career – to seal UTEP’s big win over Boise State under the “Friday Night Lights” earlier in the season. Flores added his first career receiving score during UTEP’s walk-off win over Florida Atlantic.

Playing in front of his hometown friends, family and fans is a treat for Flores.

“Playing in front of our crowd is a special thing,” Flores said. “I’ve got to be a part of something special. I’ve always dreamed of playing [in the Sun Bowl]. We have played in front of big crowds. It’s been special. I think the love has grown throughout the years and it feels so good.”

Flores graduated from Ysleta High School where he played three years on the varsity squad. He produced great numbers for the Indians, rushing for 3,352 yards on 584 carries (5.7 avg.) and 28 touchdowns. Flores added 775 yards on 65 receptions and 13 touchdowns in 31-career games.

After overcoming multiple obstacles, Flores will play in his 53rd game as a Miner on Nov. 19. He entered the 2022 season with 277 career receiving yards on 19 catches. Heading into Nov. 19’s game versus FIU, Flores ranks second on the team in receptions (45), receiving yards (490) and total touchdowns (three). With the departure of the Miners’ top WR last season, Flores stepped up as a solid no. 2 option for the UTEP QBs.

But it wasn’t an easy road for Flores.

Following his senior season, Flores received a few Division II offers. But he wanted to play for his hometown Orange and Blue. Flores especially wanted to play “I knew I could play at this level,” Flores said. “I had Division II offers, but knew I was better than that. I wanted to take a bet on myself and come play at UTEP. I ended up joining the program as a [preferred walk on]. But it wasn’t till I got the call in June. I graduated high school, I’m not going to lie to you, there was a part of me that was really hurt. I was sad because, you I didn’t know if I was going to play football anymore after high school. I felt like I wasn’t done yet. It was a blessing. God really opened the door for me. When I got that P.W. call, I didn’t hesitate. I told them ‘yes’, just tell me when to be there.”

Flores redshirted during the 2017 season. But it was a wild one as the Miners went winless and switched coaches in the middle of the season.

Despite the challenging campaign, Flores showed a little of what he could contribute.

“That year I was just a practice dummy,” Flores said. “We had a scout scrimmage that year and that was the first time I really shined. That was the first eye-opening experience for me. That told me that I could play at this level and I can do it.”

Dana Dimel was hired in December 2017. With a new head coach comes new coaches and different philosophies. Flores would have to prove himself again.

“There were a lot of growing pains. But I had to have faith and trust the process,” Flores said. “The was a tough spring for me. The running back’s coach [Reggie Mitchell] we had at the time was a tough coach to play for. But he helped develop me and toughen me up.”

Despite his positive approach, Flores wasn’t sure about his future on the gridiron at one point.

“I can’t lie, there was a point early in my career [I wasn’t sure] if I still wanted to do this,” Flores added. “It was tough and a hard experience. It tested my faith, but I stuck the course and endured the grind.”

Flores played as a redshirt freshman on special teams in all 12 games in Dimel’s first season at the helm in 2018. Dimel admired his efforts and wanted to reward him. Following the 2019 season, Flores finally earned a scholarship.

“It was obvious he was going to be a big contributor for us,” Dimel said. “He exceeded our expectations. Rey’s biggest strength is he’s a great leader. He cares about playing football for UTEP and it really shows how he handles himself. He’s a tremendous student too. He knows how to overcome adversity and knows how to handle prosperity.”

During that 2019 season, Flores played in 11 games as both running back and on special teams.

“Going into my redshirt sophomore year, I had a great spring ball and grew over that offseason into a good running back,” Flores said. “I was doing the little things and found my niche as a thirddown back. That 2019 season, I played 20-25 snaps a game and thought it was a good year for me.”

During the COVID 19 season of 2020, Flores looked to increase his role. He played in seven of the eight games and saw action at Texas, running the ball four times for 28 yards (7.0 avg.).

But for Flores – as it was for all of society – 2020 year was strange for him.

“Going into my junior year, 2020, COVID hit, and it was just a weird year for me,” Flores explained. “I was a running back. But I didn’t play a lot. We had about six games. I had four carries at Texas and catch at LA Tech. That was my season. The rest of it was special teams. I got injured for a couple of games. That season didn’t feel right. I thought it was going to be a big year for me and it wasn’t. I had to set the course again.”

Despite his struggles in 2020, Flores’s leadership was apparent.

“I felt like that year I had a role in making other players better,” Flores said. “A lot of my time was focusing on Deion [Hankins] and Ron [Awatt] and helping them to grow as running backs. After that season, coach [Barrick] Nealy and Dimel sat me down and said they were moving me to receiver. I had always played running back all my life and it hurt. It was something I had to take with a grain of salt and swallow that pill. I knew I could start at this position here. But I knew we had other guys that were just as good. The coaches were just trying to help me see the field.” And that he did. Flores’s breakout season was in 2021 when the Miners finished 7-5 in the regular season and played in the New Mexico Bowl. He was part of UTEP’s first bowl appearance in seven years.

Flores played in 12 games with two starts. Flores started his first career game at home against Bethune-Cookman, and added a career long 53-yard reception against Fresno State. Flores finally found the end zone for the first time in his career after rushing for a two-point conversion at UAB.

“I put my trust in [the coaches] and put all my time and effort into becoming the best wide receiver I can be,” Flores said. “Last season

in 2021 was a good for me. I got some touches at running back/ wildcat and had a few catches throughout the year. That was a growth season. I wasn’t getting that many opportunities to get the ball but I felt like every opportunity I got, I made the most of it. That was special.”

With Jacob Cowing transferring and Tyrin Smith entering the season was the primary target, someone had to step up and be a secondary target. But Flores had to overcome another obstacle.

“I had to step up and be the guy. During this offseason, I had suffered an injury in my hip and I was out for a few months following the bowl game,” Flores said. “It was tough and frustrating. But I played in the spring game and worked hard during fall camp. I put the pressure to the side and had a great fall camp.”

Flores’s efforts don’t end on the gridiron, he continues that approach in the classroom. Flores received his degree in Mechanical Engineering in May 2021 and will receive a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering this December. Flores has maintained a high GPA, as he’s a five-time honoree of the Conference USA Academic Medalist (3.75 GPA or higher).

Thank you, Rey, for your hard work and being a tremendous representative to the community and university.