Zay Flowers, Will Levis and other hopeful NFL draft selections with New England ties

Professional football's premier offseason event, the NFL Draft, is upon us. The formerly dynastic New England Patriots, going on five years without a postseason victory, hold 11 picks this weekend as they continue to wrestle with life after Tom Brady.

Beyond the Pats, though, there are other items of local interest.

While small schools such as Framingham State do not appear to have another NFL prospect like Josh Onujiogu in this year’s NFL Draft, it remains to be seen who will be where once the dust settles after the three-day selection soiree in Kansas City.

Unpredictability will reign in this draft, but these players with New England ties should end up getting a call in some way shape or form. Some, like Newton-born quarterback Will Levis out of the University of Kentucky or Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers, are almost surefire first-round picks. Others will have to wait it out until the later rounds, perhaps until they sign as free agents following a quiet phone call after the annual April spectacle.

There are a handful of prospects from local schools ready to reach the next level. Here are local players analysts think will be in the conversation this weekend.

Will Levis (QB, Kentucky)

Height: 6'4”

Weight: 229 lbs

Born at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Levis lived the first six years of his life in North Attleborough before his family moved to Madison, Connecticut. He then starred at Xavier High School in Middletown, followed by two years at Penn State and two years at Kentucky. Now, the kid with the rocket arm who threw for 5,876 yards, 46 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in his college career is being discussed as a definite first-round pick and a potential No. 1 overall selection.

Zay Flowers (WR, Boston College)

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 182 lbs

The dynamic playmaker who was but a three-star recruit coming out of the University School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is likely to be the first Boston College wide receiver ever taken in the first round and the first drafted at all since Kelvin Martin in 1987 (fourth round by the Cowboys). Martin went on to play 10 years in the NFL, winning Super Bowl XXVII with Dallas, and teams are similarly looking at Flowers as a long-term investment.

A four-year contributor for the Eagles, Flowers had a breakout sophomore campaign in 2020 when quarterback Phil Jurkovec arrived at BC, catching 56 balls for 892 yards and nine TDs while running for a score as well. An injury to Jurkovec impacted Flowers' production in 2021 (44 catches, 746 yards, 5 TDs), but he saved his best for last in Chestnut Hill. In 2022, Flowers, set career marks with 78 receptions, 1,077 receiving yards (13.8 yards per catch) and tied for fifth in the FBS with 12 receiving touchdowns in 12 starts.

Jordan Jones (CB, Rhode Island)

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 186 lbs

As a senior at URI, Jones earned First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association Football Conference honors, leading the CAA with 15 total passes defended and in passes defended per game (1.36). The Brooklyn, New York, product also led the CAA with 12 pass breakups and tied for third in CAA with three interceptions, giving him eight over the last two seasons as he was a second-team AP All-American in 2021. NFL.com has Jones as a Round 6 or 7 selection.

Truman Jones (DL/EDGE, Harvard)

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 250 lbs

The Crimson captain won the Bulger Lowe Award as the top defensive player in New England from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston while earning unanimous first-team All-Ivy honors. The decorated Hula Bowl participant from Atlanta led the team in tackles for loss (13, T-1st in Ivy), sacks (6), quarterback hurries (6) and blocked kicks (3). He finished with 40 tackles and a forced fumble. Jones starred in football and lacrosse at Westminster High School in Atlanta before attending Harvard. NFL.com has Jones as a Round 6 or 7 selection.

Zavier Scott (WR, Maine)

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 219 lbs

After transferring from UConn in 2021, Scott became a top playmaker for the Black Bears both as a rusher and receiver, finishing his three years in Orono with 60 catches for 649 yards and two TDs and 75 rushes for 494 yards and six TDs. Hailing from Fort Hood, Texas, but having gone to high school in Germany, Scott is seen as a Round 6 or 7 selection by NFL.com.

Aidan Borguet (RB, Harvard)

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 205 lbs

A unanimous first-team All-Ivy League selection and the Bluebloods Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year, Borguet played in all 10 games in 2022, rushing 206 times for 1,183 yards and 10 touchdowns. The senior from Franklinville, New Jersey, also had five catches for 58 yards and one TD, leading the Ivy League in both rushing and all-purpose yards (1,241). The strong back is seen as a priority free agent, according to NFL.com.

Jaiden Woodbey (S, Boston College)

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 231 lbs

A five-star prospect coming out of Southern California power St. John Bosco, Woodbey initially went to Florida State in 2018, playing parts of three seasons for the Seminoles. The player from Fontana, California, transferred to BC as a graduate student in 2021, and became a stalwart in the Eagles secondary. Woodbey earned honorable mention All-ACC accolades as a 12-game starter in 2021 (56 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups) and 2022 (79 tackles, two for loss, two pass breakups). According to NFL.com, he will likely be a priority free agent.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Zay Flowers, Will Levis among Massachusetts connections to NFL Draft