Zay Flowers

Xavien "Zay" Kevonn Flowers (born September 11, 2000) is an American football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Early years
Flowers was born to Willie Flowers and Jackie Walden on September 11, 2000. When Flowers was five years old, his mother died from a head injury. The 11th of 14 children, Flowers grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended NSU University School. While Flowers was in high school, his brother, Martin, was murdered. As a junior, he caught 48 passes for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns. While at NSU, Flowers played wide receiver and cornerback, helping the team to back to back state semifinal appearances. As a 3-star prospect, he ranked as the nation's 135th receiver recruit and committed to play college football at Boston College.

College career
As a true freshman, Flowers caught 22 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. After Boston College sent home their students in March 2020, he returned to Florida and worked out on occasion with NFL players Antonio Brown and Geno Smith. Flowers became the second wide receiver in school history to be named first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after finishing his sophomore season with 56 receptions for 892 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named third-team All-ACC after catching 44 passes for 746 yards and five touchdowns. During his career at Boston College, Flowers broke numerous records, including first in career touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards. On December 1, 2022, Flowers declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

Professional career
Flowers was selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. On June 15, Flowers signed a 4-year, $14 million fully guaranteed rookie contract. In Week 1 against the Houston Texans, he led the team with nine catches for 78 yards in 25-9 win. He also had two carries for nine yards. In Week 6, in the game in London, Flowers scored his first NFL touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the Ravens' 24–16 victory. In Week 12, Flowers scored two touchdowns, a 3-yard reception and 37-yard run, in the Ravens' 20–10 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished the game with 62 total yards. In Week 17, after scoring a 75-yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, Flowers set a Ravens franchise record for most receptions (77) and receiving yards (858) by a rookie.

In the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Flowers fumbled at the goal line and the Chiefs recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback. This occurred after getting a 15-yard taunting penalty earlier in the drive. Flowers finished the game with five receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown as the Ravens lost 10–17.

Ravens franchise records

 * Most receiving yards by a wide receiver in rookie season: 858 (2023)
 * Most receptions by a wide receiver in rookie season: 77 (2023)