Zay Flowers was a rookie in Jacksonville, 2023. He was a senior at Florida State when he played.

Flowers will play his first game in South Florida on Thursday since he was an outstanding high school athlete in Fort Lauderdale.

Flowers says he will have around 40 family members and friends at Hard Rock Stadium and hopes to put on a great show for them.

Flowers smiled and said, “That will be fun.” It means something to everyone in Florida, because you have family there. If you go home, they are probably already Dolphins fans and will probably talk trash. It’s personal. It’s special.”

Flowers and Lamar Jackson have a deep connection to South Florida. Jackson was familiar with Flowers’ youth football career because he knew his brothers. Flowers is the 11 ^th out of 14 children.

Tyler Huntley and they, both South Florida natives, are always hanging out in their lockers together. They understand each other because of their shared backgrounds.

Flowers continued to be productive even when Jackson was out. Flowers was targeted nine times by Huntley and made seven grabs totaling 63 yards, a Ravens team record.

Jackson is expected to play in Miami and the team can once again showcase its South Florida roots.

Jackson said Flowers would be “popping out of his skin.” “Knowing Zay, I’m sure he will be thrilled to see his family and be in the same atmosphere. Zay and I have played against the Dolphins in the past, but it will be his second game, at home. I know he’ll be thrilled.