Zay Flowers Bio
Xavien Kevonn “Zay” Flowers is an American professional football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boston College Eagles before being selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Known for his quickness, route running, and ability to create plays after the catch, Flowers has quickly emerged as one of the rising young wide receivers in the league.
Born on September 11, 2000, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Flowers overcame significant personal hardship to reach the NFL. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in consecutive seasons and holds the Ravens franchise record for receptions and receiving yards by a rookie.
Zay Flowers Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Xavien Kevonn Flowers was born on September 11, 2000, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Willie Flowers and Jackie Walden. When Flowers was five years old, his mother died from a head injury, a loss that shaped much of his early childhood. As the 11th of 14 children, he grew up in a large family in Fort Lauderdale, where athletics became a central outlet.
Flowers attended NSU University School in Davie, Florida, where he played both wide receiver and cornerback. He helped lead the team to back-to-back state semifinal appearances during his high school career. As a junior, he recorded 48 receptions for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top receiver recruits in the state.
Rated as a three-star prospect, Flowers was ranked the 135th receiver recruit in the nation. He committed to play college football at Boston College, choosing the Eagles over other programs. His journey to that point was marked by tragedy, including the murder of his brother Martin while Flowers was still in high school, an event that motivated him to pursue football with greater urgency.
Path to American Football
Flowers developed his football foundation in the youth and high school ranks of South Florida, a region widely known for producing NFL-caliber talent. Playing both offense and defense at NSU University School helped him develop a versatile skill set, with his cornerback background sharpening his understanding of coverage and route concepts.
His standout junior season put him on the radar of college recruiters, and his commitment to Boston College marked his transition from local standout to nationally ranked recruit. The rigorous academic and athletic expectations of the Atlantic Coast Conference awaited him when he arrived on campus in 2019.
Zay Flowers Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Flowers began his college career at Boston College as a true freshman in 2019, catching 22 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of Boston College’s campus in March 2020, he returned to Florida, where he trained on occasion with NFL players Antonio Brown and Geno Smith. That off-field work helped him elevate his game heading into his sophomore year.
In 2020, Flowers became the second wide receiver in school history to be named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after recording 56 receptions for 892 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2021 with 44 catches for 746 yards and five touchdowns, and then returned to first-team All-ACC in 2022. During his career at Boston College, he set school records for career touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards, and he was also named a third-team All-American in 2022. On December 1, 2022, Flowers declared for the 2023 NFL draft. He later graduated from Boston College on May 18, 2026, with a bachelor’s degree in communications, becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree.
2023 Rookie Season
Flowers was selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. On June 15, 2023, he signed a four-year, $14 million fully guaranteed rookie contract. He made an immediate impact in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, leading the team with nine catches for 78 yards in a 25–9 win.
His first NFL touchdown came in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans in London during a 24–16 victory. Flowers continued to produce, including a two-touchdown performance against the Los Angeles Chargers and a 75-yard score against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. He set Ravens franchise rookie records for receptions, with 77, and receiving yards, with 858. In the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Flowers recorded five receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown, though the Ravens fell 17–10.
2024 Breakout
Flowers built on his rookie campaign with a strong 2024 season, posting 82 receptions for 1,050 yards and eight touchdowns. He became the Ravens’ leading wide receiver, consistently producing alongside quarterback Lamar Jackson. He opened the year with a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2, then followed with his first 100-yard game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5.
His performance peaked with 132 receiving yards against the Washington Commanders in Week 6, his first back-to-back 100-yard games as a professional. Flowers added three more 100-yard games, including a five-catch, 127-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Denver Broncos. On January 2, 2025, he was named to his first Pro Bowl, becoming the first wide receiver in Ravens franchise history to earn the honor at the position.
2025 Season
Flowers opened the 2025 season with a career-high 143 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, despite a narrow 41–40 defeat. He added seven receptions for 75 yards against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 and continued to feature prominently in the Ravens’ passing game throughout the early season.
After a quieter stretch against the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, Flowers responded with another strong showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, recording four receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. On December 2025, he was selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, cementing his status among the league’s top young receivers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Flowers is known for his quick-twitch acceleration, sharp route running, and physicality after the catch. His background as a cornerback gives him an advanced understanding of how defenses disguise coverages, allowing him to identify soft spots in zones. Operating within Baltimore’s run-heavy offense, he has developed into a reliable chain-mover for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most notable achievements, Flowers set Ravens rookie records for receptions and receiving yards in 2023, became the first wide receiver in franchise history to earn a Pro Bowl selection at the position in 2024, and recorded consecutive Pro Bowl nods in 2024 and 2025. His 75-yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in his rookie season remains one of the signature plays of his early career.
Zay Flowers Career Wins
While individual receiving statistics differ from race wins, Flowers’ career has been defined by record-setting performances and postseason appearances. Through the 2025 season, he has totaled 237 receptions, 3,128 receiving yards, and 14 receiving touchdowns in his NFL career, including two Pro Bowl selections.
Career Milestones
Flowers’ first NFL touchdown came in Week 6 of 2023 against the Tennessee Titans in London. He later set Ravens franchise rookie records for receptions and receiving yards during the 2023 season. His first Pro Bowl selection came after the 2024 season, making him the first wide receiver in Ravens history to earn the honor at the position.
Other Performances
Flowers also excelled at the college level, finishing his Boston College career as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns. He was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection, a third-team All-American in 2022, and was named third-team All-ACC in 2021.
Zay Flowers Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Flowers was raised in a large family in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as the 11th of 14 children. His father is Willie Flowers, and his mother is Jackie Walden. He has cited his late mother, who died when he was five, as a foundational influence on his life and career.
Personal Life
Flowers’ older brother Martin was murdered while Flowers was in high school, an experience that deepened his commitment to football and family. He became the first member of his family to earn a college degree when he graduated from Boston College in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
2025 Season Performance
Flowers’ 2025 campaign began with a bang, posting a career-high 143 receiving yards against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. He continued to produce in the early weeks, including seven receptions for 75 yards against the Cleveland Browns and another 100-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 with 138 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Through the regular season, Flowers remained the Ravens’ top wide receiver and a key weapon in the passing attack. His second consecutive Pro Bowl selection in December 2025 highlighted another productive year and reinforced his standing among the NFL’s emerging playmakers.
