No. 44: Bo Flowers, defensive back

Why he's important: Start with his experience, both on and off the field. After getting picked in the fifth round of the baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers, Flowers spent four years in the minor leagues. After wiping off some rust in his first year with the Illini, Flowers was a contributor as a sophomore. He started three games at safety and finished with 23 tackles. After a good spring, he is in a fight for a starting spot at safety.

Getting personal: Though he is certainly proud of his baseball accomplishments, Flowers is tired of the questions about his other sport. Wise reporters on the beat have realized to stop asking, though it does come up with those who haven't interviewed him in the past. The Tigers are actually paying for Flowers to attend Illinois. Future college payment has become part of many first-time baseball contracts.

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