Devaughn Vele

Devaughn Vele (/ˈvɛleɪ/ VEH-lay;^[1][2] 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.

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 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, California)
College:	Utah (2019–2023)
NFL draft:	2024: 7th round, 235th pick
Career history
Denver Broncos (2024–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Receptions: 41 Receiving yards: 475 Receiving touchdowns: 3 Stats at Pro Football Reference

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.^[3][4]

College career

During the 2019 season, Vele used the season to redshirt.^[5] During the 2020 season, he played in five games making two catches for 12 yards.^[6] Heading into the 2021 season, Vele earned a scholarship from Utah.^[7] In week six of the 2021 season, he pulled down a 37-yard touchdown reception, helping the Utes take down USC.^[8] In the 2021 season, Vele had a breakout year bringing in 23 receptions for 389 yards and a touchdown.^[9] In the 2022 season, he tallied 50 receptions for 595 yards and five touchdowns.^[10] 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.^[11][12] In week ten of the 2023 season, Vele notched seven receptions for 80 yards in a loss to the Oregon Ducks.^[13] In week eleven, in a blowout win over Arizona State, Vele hauled in seven receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns.^[14] In the 2023 season, Vele notched a total of 43 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns.^[15] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Vele decided to declare for the 2024 NFL draft.^[16][17]

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[18][19]

Vele was drafted in the seventh round with the 235th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL draft.^[20] In his NFL debut, he had eight receptions for 39 yards in a 26–20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.^[21]

Vele caught his first career touchdown in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs.^[22] He finished his rookie season with 41 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns.^[23]

Personal life

Vele was raised by a single mother, Afagaila, and later adopted by his now father, Efaraima.^[24] Vele is of Samoan descent.^[25] He is married to Tymane Vele.^[26]

Vele is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in Samoa.^[27]