When Jonathan Smith made his way to East Lansing to be Michigan State football's next coach, one of the most coveted players that followed him was tight end Jack Velling. At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Velling has a prototypical frame for a potential NFL tight end. This led him to 29 catches for 438 yards and eight touchdowns as a true sophomore in 2023 for Oregon State.
In 2024, however, he never broke out and became the elite target Spartan fans were hoping for. He racked up 36 receptions for 411 yards and only a single touchdown.