Boston College Eagles: Zay Flowers set for All-American season
Wide receivers had seemingly been an afterthought in the Boston College Eagles offense from 2013-2020.
Fresh off the departure of record-setting wide receiver Alex Amidon after the 2013 season, the Eagles went into running mode. Gone were career numbers of 191 receptions, 2800 yards and 15 touchdowns by Amidon, who had 78 and 77 receptions in his last two seasons at Boston College.
Wide receivers were present — and talented — but the offense philosophy was built around a ground attack in the years that followed. It was also an offense that featured tight ends, with that group often leading the team in receptions.
The arrivals of head coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Phil Jurkovec changed all that. Behind a new offensive scheme and a quarterback with a rifle of an arm, wide receiver Zay Flowers had a breakout season in 2020.
2021 promises to see Flowers reach even new highs.
Boston College Eagles: Speed, and a downfield threat
Flowers flashed his way onto the field as a true freshman in 2019. It was evident even in those early games that coaches were going to find a way to get the ball in Flowers’ hands.
In his debut, Flowers dropped 116 all-purpose yards in a victory over Virginia Tech. Flowers carried the ball three times for 25 yards and hauled in two catches for 91 yards, including a touchdown.
Playing time increased as Flowers continued to produce, finishing with 195 rushing yards and 22 receptions for 341 yard and three touchdowns.
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Flowers assumed the role of top receiver in 2020, grabbing 56 receptions for 892 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 15.9 yards per catch. With his load increasing in the passing game, Flowers was utilized less in the running game, carrying 11 times for 41 yards.
The 892 yards ranked 18th-nationally and Flowers was only the second Boston College player to be named to the All-ACC first team. (Amidon was the first.)
Heading into the 2021 season, Flowers is jet setting towards an All-American season. He’s been selected to the preseason All-ACC first team and also been named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, among others.
There’s no reason not to expect Flowers to improve on his sophomore season. Production equal to, or better, his sophomore campaign could mean Flowers enters the top-10 in career receiving categories. He already has three of the top-10, 100-yard games in Boston College history. And the 892 receiving yards last season ranks seventh on the single season list.
One thing that possibly could get in the way of a record-setting season? A versatile group of receivers surrounding Flowers.
Boston College Eagles: Year of the receivers?
Flowers may be the best of the bunch, but there is plenty of returning talent set to battle for the attention of Jurkovec.
Four wide receivers, in fact, who have all contributed in the past and all who can stretch the field.
CJ Lewis averaged 16.4 yards per catch, hauling in 28 for 460 yards and five touchdowns. Putting up similar numbers was Jaelen Gill, who had 29 for 435 yards, scoring one touchdown.
They made a fine trio in 2020 before Jehlani Galloway joined the fun. After catching a pass in only two of the first six Boston College games, Galloway had at least one reception in each of the final five games.
He finished with 15 receptions, 197 yards and two touchdowns.
Four deep at receiver is pretty good but how about five? That’s what Boston College will be aiming for with the return of Kobay White. White was the primary target at receiver from 2017-19, totaling 96 catches for 1409 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He was poised to form quite the duo with Flowers in 2020 before a knee injury caused him to miss the entire season.
Next. Boston College Eagles: Top 5 tight ends in school history. dark
Big things are on the horizon for this unit in 2021. Flowers again should find himself the leader of the crew and, with any luck, the term “All-American” will be next to his name by season’s end. And maybe a few records, to boot.