Boston College star wide receiver Zay Flowers grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as the 11th of 14 children. His mother died in 2005, leaving his father, Willie, to drive a truck for a medical device company to provide for the family.
Flowers received a football scholarship to Boston College in 2019 and earned All-ACC honors as a wide receiver with a breakout 2020 season. He enters 2022 as one of the sport's best receivers and a strong NFL draft prospect.
With that reputation has come sudden opportunity. In the days leading up to the May 1 deadline to enter the NCAA transfer portal without requiring a waiver for transfer, Flowers found himself with a decision that's indicative of college football's new reality.