Jack Velling, TE Michigan State: 2025 NFL Draft Profile
Velling was a three-star recruit from Seattle Preparatory School in Seattle, Wash. in the class of 2022
Tight end Jack Velling transferred from Oregon State to Michigan State this offseason. He still needs to develop his frame, but Velling has the speed to stretch the field. He could compete for a top 100 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with some physical and technical development.
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Jack Velling, TE Michigan State: 2025 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Junior tight end from Seattle, Wash.
Background: Velling was a three-star recruit from Seattle Preparatory School in Seattle, Wash. in the class of 2022. He was the No. 847 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 813 for On3.com. Velling was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 78 grade out of 100. He transferred from Oklahoma State to Michigan State for the 2024 season. Velling made 57 receptions for 838 yards and four touchdowns during eight games as a high school senior. He caught 26 passes for 300 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore. Velling was a team captain who earned All-League honors three times. He also lettered in basketball three times. Velling’s father, Jerry, played college basketball at Santa Clara. His uncle, Mike Velling, played football at Air Force, and his grandfather, Roy Velling, played baseball at Gonzaga and Washington. Velling planned to redshirt as a freshman at Oregon State, but an injury to Luke Musgrave pushed him into the lineup.
Injuries & Off-Field: Did not see action vs. Boise State or Fresno State in 2022, did not play in 2023 bowl game against Notre Dame
Awards: 2022 Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (College Football News), 2023 Second Team All-Pac-12
Pros: Special teams experience on the punt coverage and field goal units, experience taking snaps in line, in the slot, and at H-back, impressive top speed, long strides off the LOS to cover ground quickly, speed to stress and stack linebackers in man coverage, speed and long strides keep DBs on their toes, quick feet at the top of his stem, good out-and-up route for a tight end, stems slot post routes fading outside before sharply breaking over the MOF, willing blocker, maintains a wide base in pass pro, wide base helps him seal running lanes, physically imposing blocker for DBs
Cons: Frame is very lean, arm length measurements will be important, some false steps in release, routes derailed by early contact, limited sink at the top of his stem, off-man defenders easily crowd the top of his stem, Utah’s safeties kept him in check (2023), feel for holes in zone coverage is still developing, short curl and stick routes are predictable, not dynamic with the ball in his hands, tackled too easily, lacks play strength to break tackles, schemed touches in the flat, examples of body catching, catch radius doesn’t pop, questionable block strength, carries hands too low and wide when blocking, grants easy access to his chest, tries to block with his shoulder instead of squaring up to the defender, struggles to sustain run blocks vs. edge rushers, poor angles to open field blocks, missed a blitz pick up assignment vs. San Diego State (2023), rusher ran right past him for a sack vs. Utah (2023)
Overview: Velling has special teams experience on the punt coverage and field goal units, and he takes snaps in line, in the slot, and at H-back. He takes long strides off the line of scrimmage to cover ground quickly and reach his top speed. Velling has the speed to stack linebackers up the seam and stretch the field. Even defensive backs must be on their toes against the junior. He showcases quick footwork at the top of his stem to gear down and make nice cuts. Despite his inexperience, Velling already has a good out-and-up route in his arsenal and sets up routes well by stemming outside before breaking over the middle of the field on post routes. He’s also useful in short yardage passing situations. The Washington native found success blocking for one or two seconds before leaking out to the flat, especially against Cal in (2023) when he scored three touchdowns in one game. Velling is a willing blocker who maintains a wide base in pass protection. That wide base also helps him seal lanes in the running game. Velling lacks the size to influence linemen and linebackers consistently, but he is a physically imposing player for defensive backs to challenge. The former three-star recruit’s frame is lean and underdeveloped, which shows up often in the run game. His official arm length will be an important measurement for NFL teams to consider. Velling’s block strength is limited, leading to him struggling to sustain blocks against edge rushers. He carries his hands too low and wide when blocking, which allows defenders to access his chest. The All-Pac-12 selection defaults to blocking with his shoulder instead of squaring up to the defender at times. He takes poor angles to open field blocks. There are multiple examples of Velling completely missing blitz assignments in pass protection. In the receiving game, he takes some false steps in his release. Early contact derails his route because he lacks the strength to play through bump and run coverage. Velling doesn’t sink his hips much at the top of his stem, and off-man defenders easily crowd his short to intermediate routes. He doesn’t fake out defenders on short curl and stick routes, making him easy to predict and cover. Utah’s safeties had a field day covering Velling (2023). The new transfer to Michigan State is still developing his feel for holes in zone coverage. Velling isn’t dynamic with the ball in his hands and doesn’t break many tackles.
Overall, Velling uses his long strides and impressive top speed to stretch the field, and he’s already showing signs of developing more advanced route tendencies. However, Velling’s speed isn’t on par with former teammate Luke Musgrave, and his underdeveloped frame makes an easy target for defenders to pick on in the run game. Physical development is the key to his growth as a prospect.
Role & Scheme Fit: Field stretching slot (F) tight end
Round Projection: Fourth Round
Size: 6'4", 241 lbs. (Unofficial)
Submitted: 03-09-24