Zay Flowers, an NFL draft prospect from South Florida and former Boston College huge receiver, has been a spotlight of this week’s NFL scouting mix, and his draft inventory could possibly be skyrocketing.
The week’s hype for Flowers, a former highschool standout at Davie’s University School, began when coach Nick Hicks, who additionally trains Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, posted a before-and-after photograph of the 5-foot-9 Flowers reworking his physique from 170 kilos to 183 — nonetheless with none proof of fats. The picture was picked up nationally in mix protection and on social media.
Tacking on the muscle, Flowers crossed off one query as answered — that, at his diminutive peak, he might fill out an NFL body to deal with the physicality of the professionals.
When it got here time to carry out in on-field drills Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, Flowers additionally excelled, posting a 4.42-second 40-yard sprint that accentuated the velocity that was already recognized to be a power in his recreation.
Flowers, one of many high huge receivers within the 2023 draft who could possibly be a first-round decide, has been checking off containers since arriving in Indianapolis this week. His mix drew comparisons on NFL Network’s to five-time Pro Bowl huge receiver Steve Smith, who collected greater than 14,000 receiving yards within the NFL over 16 seasons.
Smith was 5-9; Flowers formally measured in at 5-9 ¼. Smith weighed 184 kilos, and Flowers, formally, 182. Smith’ 4.45-second 40-yard sprint was bested by Flowers’ 4.42.
“He’s a bigger dog than me,” mentioned Smith, who’s now an analyst on NFL Network. “I believe he’s special.”
Incidentally, Smith is one receiver Flowers mentioned he fashions his recreation after, together with Antonio Brown, additionally a South Florida product, like Flowers.
“I’m excited,” Smith mentioned of his rising draft inventory, “however I truthfully don’t pay a whole lot of consideration to it as a result of I simply bought to exit on the sector and do the work and I’ll let that deal with itself.
“I feel like anybody should see me as their first receiver off the board, but I don’t really pay attention to any of it. I just try to get my work done and keep moving forward.”
Flowers is grateful to probably be the following nice soccer participant to get drafted extremely in a journey that began in South Florida.
“That’s what I dreamed of as a kid, being one of those guys that come out of South Florida and put on for his city,” he mentioned. “Being here and being able to do what I’m doing is, I think, a fine example of me doing it.”
Flowers will get to do it in the identical draft class as his former University School teammate, Georgia operating again Kenny McIntosh. The two as soon as starred collectively on the small personal faculty that’s on the identical Nova Southeastern campus because the previous Dolphins facility in Davie earlier than the staff moved headquarters subsequent to the stadium in Miami Gardens.
“That’s my best friend, Kenny McIntosh,” Flowers mentioned. “Been playing little league with him since I was 4 years old. I had No. 43. He had No. 80. Being able to see my brother out here is something we dreamed of together.”
Said McIntosh, reminiscing of their little-league days: “He was the ‘X-Man.’ I was the ‘Blueprint.’ We had stuck together since high school, been together since high school. For us to separate in college, we knew we had to do our thing in college for us to be here at the same time, same year.”
McIntosh shouldn’t be stunned that Flowers constructed his physique the best way he did forward of the mix.
“All he do is work,” mentioned McIntosh. “He put in years of work. He’s dedicated to this game, loves this game. He’s passionate”
Flowers mentioned the most important key was reworking his food plan to eat extra and consumption extra protein. His lifting periods remained per regular mix coaching.
He was by no means involved the additional weight would sluggish him down
“I’ve been running with it for four weeks, so I think I’ll be fine,” he mentioned.
That confirmed together with his 40 time. The profit in power will probably be exhibited when huge receivers tackle the bench press Sunday.
Along with power coaching with Hicks at PER4ORM, Flowers has additionally labored on route-running together with his longtime footwork specialist in South Florida, Tevin Allen of GoldFeet Global.
Some might attempt to pigeonhole Flowers as a slot receiver on the subsequent degree due to his measurement.
“I’m not just a slot,” Flowers mentioned. “Seventy-five percent of my snaps were played outside. I feel like I can move around and play any position that they put me at.”
Beyond Smith and Brown, Flowers also can take from what Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill has been in a position to do for smaller wideouts.
“Tyreek Hill really changed it for smaller receivers,” Flowers mentioned, “being able to do what he [does] and being able to put the ball in his hands and just scoring touchdowns, how it’s helped guys like me.”
With a mix at huge receiver like that of Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins are unlikely to take a wideout early within the draft. A homecoming for Flowers turns into particularly unlikely contemplating Miami’s first decide is in the course of the second spherical, and Flowers is all however assured to be gone a lot earlier.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com