Devaughn Vele
American football player (born 1997)
American football player
Devaughn Vele ( 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
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
^ Cityballers.com (November 18, 2015). WR DeVaughn Vele of Rancho Bernardo High San Diego, CA . Retrieved November 23, 2024 – via YouTube.
^ Bodkin, Michelle (April 21, 2022). "From Walk-On To WR1: Devaughn Vele Ready To Shine For Utah" . KSL Sports . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ Markham, Alex (December 3, 2023). "Utah WR Vele Declares for 2024 NFL Draft" . Rivals.com . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ Bagley, Cole (March 1, 2022). "Utes on the rise: Wide Receiver Devaughn Vele" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ 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 .
^ Furlong, Josh (January 9, 2023). "Receiver Devaughn Vele returns to Utah for another season" . KSL News . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Bagley, Cole (January 9, 2023). "Devaughn Vele WILL return to Utah for the 2023 season" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ Bagley, Cole (November 16, 2022). "Devaughn Vele plans to leave Utah and pursue NFL in offseason" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ Bodkin, Michelle (January 9, 2023). "Devaughn Vele Will Play One More Season With The Utes" . KSL Sports . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Greene, Dana (December 4, 2023). "Utes receiver DeVaughn Vele declares for NFL Draft" . ABC4 Utah . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ Coles, Joe (December 3, 2023). "Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele declares for the NFL draft" . Deseret News . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ Bodkin, Michelle (December 3, 2023). "Utah Receiver Devaughn Vele Declares For 2024 NFL Draft" . KSL Sports . Retrieved February 17, 2024 .
^ "Devaughn Vele Draft and Combine Prospect Profile" . NFL.com . Retrieved March 14, 2024 .
^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Devaughn Vele College Football Profile" . DraftScout.com . Retrieved March 14, 2024 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ "WR Devaughn Vele catches first career touchdown pass | Broncos at Chiefs" . Denver Broncos . November 10, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024 .
^ 1:2 4th & 17 - The Devaughn Vele Podcast , June 7, 2022, retrieved September 23, 2024
^ 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 .
^ Bartle, Steve (December 4, 2023). "BREAKING: Utah receiver Devaughn Vele has declared for the NFL Draft" . 247Sports . Retrieved September 14, 2024 .
^ Toone, Trent (April 29, 2024). "2 Latter-day Saint returned missionaries selected in NFL draft" . thechurchnews.com . Retrieved October 12, 2024 .
External links
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