Zay Flowers Bio
Xavien Kevonn “Zay” Flowers is an American professional football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 11, 2000, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he rose from a large family in South Florida to become one of the most productive wide receivers in Boston College history. Selected 22nd overall in the 2023 NFL draft, Flowers quickly established himself as a central piece of the Ravens offense and a Pro Bowl-caliber talent by his second season.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 183 pounds, Flowers compensates for his size with sharp route-running, reliable hands, and the ability to contribute after the catch. In 2024, he became the first wide receiver in Ravens franchise history to be named to the Pro Bowl, signaling his arrival among the league’s most consistent pass catchers.
Early Life and Background
Flowers was born to Willie Flowers and Jackie Walden on September 11, 2000, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was the 11th of 14 children in a large blended family, and his upbringing was shaped early by profound loss. When Flowers was five years old, his mother died from a head injury, an event that left a lasting mark on his childhood and strengthened his bond with his siblings and father.
Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Flowers attended NSU University School, where he split time between wide receiver and cornerback. The dual role helped him develop a more complete understanding of the passing game, and he helped lead the team to back-to-back state semifinal appearances. As a junior, he caught 48 passes for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns, numbers that hinted at his big-play potential despite being rated as a 3-star prospect.
Off the field, Flowers faced additional hardship during his high school years when his brother, Martin, was murdered. The tragedy deepened his resolve to use football as a path forward for himself and his family. Ranked as the 135th receiver recruit in the nation, he ultimately committed to play college football at Boston College.
Path to the NFL
Flowers arrived at Boston College as a true freshman and immediately contributed, hauling in 22 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. His development, however, was briefly altered in March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the school to close its campus. Flowers returned to Florida, where he trained on occasion with established NFL players Antonio Brown and Geno Smith, gaining valuable insight into professional preparation.
As a sophomore, Flowers finished with 56 receptions for 892 yards and nine touchdowns, becoming only the second wide receiver in school history to earn first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. He followed that with a third-team All-ACC selection in 2021 after catching 44 passes for 746 yards and five touchdowns. By the time he declared for the 2023 NFL draft on December 1, 2022, he held Boston College records for career touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards, cementing his status as one of the program’s all-time greats.
Zay Flowers Career
Early Career (2023)
Flowers was selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. On June 15, he signed a four-year, $14 million fully guaranteed rookie contract. He wasted little time making an impact, leading the team with nine catches for 78 yards in a 25-9 Week 1 victory over the Houston Texans.
His first NFL touchdown came in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans in London, part of a 24-16 Ravens win. Flowers added two more scores in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Chargers, finishing the regular season with a franchise rookie record of 77 receptions and 858 receiving yards. His rookie campaign ended with a costly fumble at the goal line in the AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, a moment that became a teaching experience for the young receiver.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2023-Present)
Flowers’ second season marked his true arrival as a featured weapon. In 2024, he opened with seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders and followed it with a 111-yard performance in a comeback overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He then exploded for career highs of 132 receiving yards on nine catches against the Washington Commanders, becoming the first Raven in years to post back-to-back 100-yard games.
He added a 115-yard outing against the Cleveland Browns and a 127-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Denver Broncos. In Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 49-yard reception pushed him past 1,000 receiving yards for the season. Flowers finished 2024 with 82 receptions for 1,050 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the team in receiving.
On January 2, 2025, Flowers was named to his first Pro Bowl, becoming the first wide receiver in Ravens franchise history to earn the honor at the position. He entered the 2025 season opener against the Buffalo Bills with seven receptions for a career-high 143 receiving yards and a touchdown, signaling another strong year ahead.
Driving Style and Strengths
Flowers is known for his sharp route-running, dependable hands, and yards-after-catch ability. He excels on short and intermediate routes, using quick feet and spatial awareness to separate from defensive backs. His chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson has been central to his production, allowing him to thrive in both traditional drop-back situations and play-action concepts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Flowers’ first career 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024, his Pro Bowl selection as the first wide receiver in Ravens history to earn the honor at the position, and his franchise rookie records for receptions and receiving yards stand as his most significant milestones. His 75-yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in 2023 also remains a signature play of his early career.
Zay Flowers Career Wins
As a wide receiver, Flowers’ statistical achievements define his impact. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in a season, earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2024 and 2025, and set multiple Ravens franchise records for a rookie receiver.
NFL Highlights
Flowers’ top NFL moments include his first career touchdown in London, his 132-yard explosion against Washington in 2024, and his 143-yard season-opening performance in 2025. His Pro Bowl selection in January 2025 marked a landmark recognition for both him and the Ravens organization.
Other Wins and Performances
Flowers was a Third-team All-American in 2022 and a two-time First-team All-ACC selection in 2020 and 2022, with a Third-team All-ACC nod in 2021. He also set Boston College career records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, accomplishments that underscored his consistent production across all collegiate seasons.
Zay Flowers Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Flowers was raised in a large family as the 11th of 14 children. The early loss of his mother, Jackie Walden, and the later death of his brother, Martin, shaped his determination to succeed in football and provide stability for his family.
Personal Life
Flowers is the son of Willie Flowers and the late Jackie Walden. He grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and continues to keep his personal relationships private while focusing on his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
2025 Season Performance
Flowers opened the 2025 NFL season with one of the strongest performances of his career, recording seven receptions on nine targets for 143 receiving yards and a touchdown in a narrow 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The outing reinforced his role as the Ravens’ primary downfield threat alongside tight end Mark Andrews and fellow receiver Rashod Bateman.
He followed that performance with seven catches for 75 yards in a 41-17 win over the Cleveland Browns, showing consistency despite the loss of starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. When Jackson returned, Flowers continued to produce, including a five-catch, 64-yard effort against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. Through the early portion of the season, he remained on pace for another 1,000-yard campaign, with his Pro Bowl recognition serving as a benchmark of his elevated status.
As the Ravens navigate a competitive AFC North race, Flowers’ chemistry with Jackson and his ability to generate explosive plays are expected to remain central to the team’s offensive identity. With consecutive Pro Bowl selections in 2024 and 2025, he is positioned as a long-term building block for the franchise.