Devaughn Vele Explained

Devaughn Vele (;^[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.^[17] In his NFL debut, he had eight receptions for 39 yards in a 26–20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.^[18]

Personal life

Vele was raised by a single mother, Afagaila, and later adopted by his now father, Efaraima. Vele is of Samoan descent.^[19] He is married to Tymane Vele.^[20]

Vele is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in Samoa.^[21]

External links

• Utah Utes bio
• Denver Broncos bio

Notes and References

1. WR DeVaughn Vele of Rancho Bernardo High San Diego, CA . 2015-11-18 . Cityballers.com . 2024-11-23 . YouTube.
2. Web site: Bodkin . Michelle . April 21, 2022 . From Walk-On To WR1: Devaughn Vele Ready To Shine For Utah . February 17, 2024 . KSL Sports.
3. Web site: Markham . Alex . December 3, 2023 . Utah WR Vele Declares for 2024 NFL Draft . February 17, 2024 . Rivals.com.
4. Web site: Bagley . Cole . March 1, 2022 . Utes on the rise: Wide Receiver Devaughn Vele . February 17, 2024 . Sports Illustrated.
5. Web site: Furlong . Josh . August 6, 2021 . Utes' Devaughn Vele may be the best local receiver you've never heard of . February 17, 2024 . KSL News.
6. Web site: Furlong . Josh . January 9, 2023 . Receiver Devaughn Vele returns to Utah for another season . February 17, 2024 . KSL News.
7. Web site: Swensen . Jason . How trusting God allows Utah receiver and returned missionary Devaughn Vele to find success on the gridiron, and beyond . Church News . November 18, 2021 . February 17, 2024.
8. Web site: Call . Jeff . Onetime walk-on Devaughn Vele is now battling to be Utah’s No. 1 wide receiver . Deseret News . April 19, 2022 . February 17, 2024.
9. Web site: Bagley . Cole . January 9, 2023 . Devaughn Vele WILL return to Utah for the 2023 season . February 17, 2024 . Sports Illustrated.
10. Web site: Bagley . Cole . November 16, 2022 . Devaughn Vele plans to leave Utah and pursue NFL in offseason . February 17, 2024 . Sports Illustrated.
11. Web site: Bodkin . Michelle . January 9, 2023 . Devaughn Vele Will Play One More Season With The Utes . February 17, 2024 . KSL Sports.
12. Web site: Walden . Eric . Utah football’s best wide receiver is starting to gain momentum when the Utes need it most . The Salt Lake Tribune . November 9, 2023 . February 17, 2024.
13. Web site: Coles . Joe . ‘Big Play Vele’: Utah receiver Devaughn Vele making the most out of his increased touches . Deseret News . November 15, 2023 . February 17, 2024.
14. Web site: Greene . Dana . December 4, 2023 . Utes receiver DeVaughn Vele declares for NFL Draft . February 17, 2024 . ABC4 Utah.
15. Web site: Coles . Joe . Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele declares for the NFL draft . Deseret News . December 3, 2023 . February 17, 2024.
16. Web site: Bodkin . Michelle . December 3, 2023 . Utah Receiver Devaughn Vele Declares For 2024 NFL Draft . February 17, 2024 . KSL Sports.
17. Web site: Borba . Kevin . April 28, 2024 . Utah Utes WR Devaughn Vele Selected With No. 235 Overall Pick by Denver Broncos . July 5, 2024 . Sports Illustrated.
18. Web site: Weir . Susanna . Mile High Morning: OLB Jonathon Cooper, WR Devaughn Vele among Broncos with promising Week 1 performances vs. Seattle . Denver Broncos . 2024-09-09 . 2024-09-14.
19. Web site: 2021-11-18 . How trusting God allows Utah receiver and returned missionary Devaughn Vele to find success on the gridiron, and beyond . 2024-09-23 . Church News . en.
20. Web site: Bartle . Steve . BREAKING: Utah receiver Devaughn Vele has declared for the NFL Draft . 247Sports . 2023-12-04 . 2024-09-14.
21. Web site: Toone . Trent . 29 Apr 2024 . 2 Latter-day Saint returned missionaries selected in NFL draft . thechurchnews.com . 12 Oct 2024 .