Boston College star wide receiver Zay Flowers was the 11th of 14 children. His mother's death left his father, Willie, to drive a truck for a medical device company to provide for the family.
The All-ACC wide receiver earned a football scholarship to Boston College in the fall of 2019. He is one of the sport's best receivers and a strong draft prospect.
The sudden opportunity has arisen because of that reputation. 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 was indicative of college football's new reality.
He said he received multiple six-figure offers from image and likeness companies in the three or four days before the May 1 portal deadline. He said he was told he would get $600,000 to transfer to one school and another $300,000 to go to a different school by the NIL companies. He didn't enter the NCAA transfer portal or give any indication that he intended to.
He told Boston College coach Jeff Hafley about the offers and ultimately decided to stay at BC.
For a kid like me from a household of 14 with one parent, that is life-changing money. I talked to my dad. I wanted to stay at BC, but my dad wanted me to leave. It was a decision I had to make, and the decision I made was to return to school.
The NCAA is in the crosshairs over its inability to legislate the interim NIL rules it has passed. Two collegiate commissioners went to Washington D.C. to ask for help with the issue of NIL, which has become a hot-button issue.
The age-old issue of actually enforcing whatever rules the sport comes up with is still being wrestled with. NIL has become a way for representatives of schools to get people to attend a school that isn't technically allowed but is difficult to enforce. The situations presented to Flowers are against NCAA rules. The NCAA says that NIL compensation is not allowed if you enroll at a particular school. For example, institutions shouldn't use NIL arrangements to get students to enroll.
In the days leading up to the May 1 deadline, no coaches reached out to him directly, but players on the teams interested did through social media and texts. He compared his situation to that of Pitt star receiver Jordan Addison, who did enter the NCAA transfer portal.
He said it felt like he was being recruited again. When you are recruited in high school, there is no money on the line. Money is on the line. That makes it more difficult.
Hafley was called by Flowers after he heard about the offers. Hafley said he expressed gratitude after he was surprised. They talked about the situation in Hafley's office the morning after the phone call.
Hafley said that it shows the power of their relationship.
Hafley said he preferred to handle the situation with Flowers, not the other coaches or schools. He is hoping for some changes to the rules.
Hafley asked if we are in college football right now.
He needed to make a decision quickly. He could either help his family out in the short term or not. He could stay at BC, where he has several NIL deals, but not the level of offers from the other schools.
We don't live in the best area and my dad does everything he can to make ends meet. I would make in a year if I had that amount of money, because my dad never made that much in his entire life. It could help my dad make his burden easier on him, and my siblings and nieces and nephews could help my family.
Money can help you pay for a lot of stuff. Medical expenses. There are all types of stuff. Someone needs help at the moment.
After talking it through with his father, Flowers decided to stay at Boston College.
Willie Flowers said in a phone interview that he stressed the importance of loyalty and that Boston College believed in his son early on in the recruiting process.
Willie Flowers appreciated his son wanting to help out the family, but he said the Lord gave him strength to get up and take care of his family.
Willie Flowers said he could tell that his son was excited when he first talked to him. It is a lot of money. He was kind of excited. I talked to him after he calmed down. He knew where he wanted to go.
I told him that Bill Parcells said, "Don't chase the cheese, it's rat poison."
He didn't want to let down the teammates he'd worked with for years. He knows that BC has an established quarterback in Phil Jurkovec and an elite offensive lineman in Christian Mahogany, both of whom are likely to be drafted in the same year. He mentioned that he was excited to be playing for John McNulty.
I felt it was the best thing for me to come back. As long as I do what I am supposed to do, I will have the chance to play at the next level, which is something I dreamed about as a kid.
The power of a Boston College degree played a big part in discussions with his father.
It shows my father is thinking about my future and that I believe in loyalty. He wants the best for me.
The degree from a lot of the schools is more valuable than the degree from the BC degree. I can make more than $600,000 with my degree and the alumni network.
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