Devaughn Vele

Devaughn Vele
No. 17 – Denver Broncos
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1997-12-12) December 12, 1997 (age 27)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, California)
College:Utah (2019–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 7 / pick: 235
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2024
Receptions:35
Receiving yards:398
Receiving touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Devaughn Vele (/ˈvɛleɪ/ VEH-lay;[1] born December 12, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes.

Early life

Vele attended Rancho Bernardo High School and led the team to their first State Championship title in 2015. Coming out of high school, Vele served a two-year LDS mission. Upon returning, Vele decided to walk-on to play college football for the Utah Utes.[2][3]

College career

During the 2019 season, Vele used the season to redshirt.[4] During the 2020 season, he played in five games making two catches for 12 yards.[5] Heading into the 2021 season, Vele earned a scholarship from Utah.[6] In week six of the 2021 season, he pulled down a 37-yard touchdown reception, helping the Utes take down USC.[7] In the 2021 season, Vele had a breakout year bringing in 23 receptions for 389 yards and a touchdown.[8] In the 2022 season, he tallied 50 receptions for 595 yards and five touchdowns.[9] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Vele originally planned to head to the NFL, however he decided to return to Utah for the 2023 season.[10][11] In week ten of the 2023 season, Vele notched seven receptions for 80 yards in a loss to the Oregon Ducks.[12] In week eleven, in a blowout win over Arizona State, Vele hauled in seven receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns.[13] In the 2023 season, Vele notched a total of 43 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns.[14] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Vele decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.[15][16]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m) 		203 lb
(92 kg) 		33+1⁄2 in
(0.85 m) 		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.47 s 1.53 s 2.60 s 4.33 s 7.02 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)		 10 ft 6 in
(3.20 m)		 11 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[17][18]

Vele was drafted in the seventh round with the 235th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL draft.[19] In his NFL debut, he had eight receptions for 39 yards in a 26–20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.[20]

Vele caught his first career touchdown in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs.[21]

Personal life

Vele was raised by a single mother, Afagaila, and later adopted by his now father, Efaraima.[22] Vele is of Samoan descent.[23] He is married to Tymane Vele.[24]

Vele is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in Samoa.[25]

References

  1. ^ Cityballers.com (November 18, 2015). WR DeVaughn Vele of Rancho Bernardo High San Diego, CA. Retrieved November 23, 2024 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ Bodkin, Michelle (April 21, 2022). "From Walk-On To WR1: Devaughn Vele Ready To Shine For Utah". KSL Sports. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Markham, Alex (December 3, 2023). "Utah WR Vele Declares for 2024 NFL Draft". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Bagley, Cole (March 1, 2022). "Utes on the rise: Wide Receiver Devaughn Vele". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  5. ^ Furlong, Josh (August 6, 2021). "Utes' Devaughn Vele may be the best local receiver you've never heard of". KSL News. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Furlong, Josh (January 9, 2023). "Receiver Devaughn Vele returns to Utah for another season". KSL News. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  7. ^ Swensen, Jason (November 18, 2021). "How trusting God allows Utah receiver and returned missionary Devaughn Vele to find success on the gridiron, and beyond". Church News. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  8. ^ Call, Jeff (April 19, 2022). "Onetime walk-on Devaughn Vele is now battling to be Utah's No. 1 wide receiver". Deseret News. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Bagley, Cole (January 9, 2023). "Devaughn Vele WILL return to Utah for the 2023 season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  10. ^ Bagley, Cole (November 16, 2022). "Devaughn Vele plans to leave Utah and pursue NFL in offseason". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  11. ^ Bodkin, Michelle (January 9, 2023). "Devaughn Vele Will Play One More Season With The Utes". KSL Sports. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  12. ^ Walden, Eric (November 9, 2023). "Utah football's best wide receiver is starting to gain momentum when the Utes need it most". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  13. ^ Coles, Joe (November 15, 2023). "'Big Play Vele': Utah receiver Devaughn Vele making the most out of his increased touches". Deseret News. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Greene, Dana (December 4, 2023). "Utes receiver DeVaughn Vele declares for NFL Draft". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  15. ^ Coles, Joe (December 3, 2023). "Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele declares for the NFL draft". Deseret News. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Bodkin, Michelle (December 3, 2023). "Utah Receiver Devaughn Vele Declares For 2024 NFL Draft". KSL Sports. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  17. ^ "Devaughn Vele Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  18. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Devaughn Vele College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  19. ^ Borba, Kevin (April 28, 2024). "Utah Utes WR Devaughn Vele Selected With No. 235 Overall Pick by Denver Broncos". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  20. ^ Weir, Susanna (September 9, 2024). "Mile High Morning: OLB Jonathon Cooper, WR Devaughn Vele among Broncos with promising Week 1 performances vs. Seattle". Denver Broncos. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "WR Devaughn Vele catches first career touchdown pass | Broncos at Chiefs". Denver Broncos. November 10, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  22. ^ 1:2 4th & 17 - The Devaughn Vele Podcast, June 7, 2022, retrieved September 23, 2024
  23. ^ Swensen, Jason (November 18, 2021). "How trusting God allows Utah receiver and returned missionary Devaughn Vele to find success on the gridiron, and beyond". Church News. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  24. ^ Bartle, Steve (December 4, 2023). "BREAKING: Utah receiver Devaughn Vele has declared for the NFL Draft". 247Sports. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  25. ^ Toone, Trent (April 29, 2024). "2 Latter-day Saint returned missionaries selected in NFL draft". thechurchnews.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.