Road to the 2024 NFL Draft: Flournoy leaves behind a legacy at SEMO

Ryan Flournoy carries the ball during a game against Murray State on Nov. 19, 2022 at Houck Field.

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This is the third of a four-part series on Ryan Flournoy as he prepares for the NFL Draft.

In just two years, Ryan Flournoy left behind a legacy at Southeast Missouri State University.

From the beginning of his collegiate football career at the University of Central Missouri to finding his way to Cape Girardeau where he made his mark, Flournoy now has a chance to be the highest-drafted player in Redhawks history at the 2024 NFL Draft.

During his time at Central Missouri, Flournoy suffered a preseason injury, forcing him to miss the start of the season. After working his way back, Flournoy tallied 17 catches for 170 yards in his only season with the Mules. Following his freshman season, Flournoy transferred to Iowa Western Community College. As the Reivers’ top receiver, Flournoy hauled in 32 passes for 545 yards and five touchdowns.

Following that breakout year, the Redhawks set their sights on adding Flournoy to their roster.

“I wanted to make a name for myself anywhere,” Flournoy said. “SEMO was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

The goal of making a name for himself didn’t take long. In his first game as a member of the Redhawks, he hauled in three passes for 56 yards and ended up on ESPN for his catch over a pair of defenders.

Flournoy said he felt at home upon arrival in Cape Girardeau and was ready to leave his stamp on SEMO's football program. Before he could show his prowess on the field, the former Redhawks receiver had to face his first challenge; making friends in an unfamiliar place.

“I had the mindset of leaving SEMO better than how I found it,” Flournoy said. “It was already a great program and I just wanted to give my all to SEMO.”

“My first friendships were with my roommates. Damoriea Vick who was a receiver and we roomed with the quarterback at the time CJ Ogbonna. Then we navigated to Paxton (DeLaurent) and we all became friends because we were studying football together all the time.”

Not only did Flournoy prove to be a dominant receiver for the Redhawks, he also proved to be one of the team’s go-to leaders as he was named a team captain in his first season.

“I was a captain in high school, a captain at the D2 level and a captain at the JUCO level,” Flournoy said. “I wasn’t making it a point to be a captain, it happened because I am a captain, if that makes sense.”

In his first season, Flournoy finished with 61 receptions for 984 yards and 7 touchdowns and in his second year, Flournoy hauled in 57 catches for 839 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Flournoy’s best game as a Redhawk came in a 28-23 loss to Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 29, 2022. He caught 15 passes for a program-record 256 yards and one touchdown in a losing effort.

Ultimately, Flournoy’s first season with the Redhawks ended in the first round of the FCS playoffs with a 34-24 loss to Montana. Flournoy didn’t disappoint in the nationally televised contest, erupting for 161 yards on 11 catches.

Flournoy was then faced with a decision; Declare for the NFL Draft or return for his final season at SEMO.

“I knew I wanted to clean some stuff up in my game,” Flournoy said. “I didn’t have any bowl game invites and I didn’t have anything on my radar about going to the combine. Staying at SEMO was super beneficial.”

Knowing his NFL future was on the line in his final season with the Redhawks, Flournoy said it added some pressure that he welcomed.

“Every opportunity there’s somebody watching you,” Flournoy said. “We had scouts at practice and it made me practice harder because I was working to show them that I’m capable of being a professional.”

In his second year, Flournoy hauled in 57 catches for 839 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Despite his success, the Redhawks struggled as a team, finishing the season 4-7.

“When you’re losing, you have a lot of room to learn,” Flournoy said. “I learned a lot and as a captain, I had to help keep everyone together and be the glue in the locker room.”

While reflecting on his time at SEMO and in Cape Girardeau, Flournoy had nothing but positives to say about the community.

“The people there treated me like family,” Flournoy said. “They were there to help in so many different ways. They boosted me not only as a football player but as a man.”

The NFL Draft takes place from April 25-27 in Detroit. Flournoy will be watching with his family in Chicago.