Monday Morning Tail Slap: Jack Velling Writes His Own Chapter in OSU Tight End History
"Best tight end in the nation!" - Silas Bolden
Since the turn of the century, the tight end position at Oregon State University has produced more than its share of riches. It's one of the school’s strongest position groups when it comes to current NFL representation. The Green Bay Packers made Luke Musgrave the highest drafted Beaver in a decade at the 2023 NFL Draft. Teagan Quitoriano has emerged as a starting caliber pro in Houston, and the Raiders recently added Noah Togiai to their practice squad.
The NFL potential of those three was undeniable during their respective tenures in Corvallis. They stood on a tradition of excellence at the position forged by the likes of Joe Newton, Tim Euhus, and Joe Halahuni.
All of those tight ends shared a lot of mutual characteristics and accomplishments that made them great. Oregon State’s current tight end, Seattle Prep alumnus Jack Velling, shares many of those qualities as well, but he’s already done something to set himself apart from the legends who came before him.
Velling’s three touchdown catches on Saturday night marked the most in one game by an Oregon State tight end in the modern era and were just one short of the all–time single-game receiving touchdowns record shared by Reggie Bynum and Robb Thomas. They were also the 6th, 7th, and 8th receiving touchdowns he’s made 17 games into his Beaver career, tying him with the likes of TJ Houshmandzadeh, Tre’Shaun Harrison, and Shane Morales. His next touchdown catch will match Tim Euhus, with two more he’ll match Togiai, and he still has another 2.5 seasons to play in Corvallis.
The three touchdown night also earned Velling his first ever on-field postgame interview on the Pac 12 Network. An interview interrupted by teammate Silas Bolden, ready to declare the young Velling as “the best tight end in the nation!”
Velling is one of the more highly touted players to commit to Oregon State during the Jonathan Smith era. The Seattle product chose the Beavs over the likes of Michigan, Utah, Minnesota, and Arizona State. When Musgrave missed just about all of last season due to injury, Velling was thrust into the fray early and it didn’t take long for him to look like an impact player beyond his years.
As a sophomore, Velling is finding another gear and is well on his way to one of the most prolific careers for any Oregon State pass catcher. That’s not to say he’s looking like Antonio Gates out there, or even Georgia’s Brock Bowers to name a current collegiate tight end, but he’s become a favorite target of DJ Uiagalelei and the two have clearly developed a quick chemistry in their short amount of time working together. Prior to the three touchdowns that spoiled Cal’s homecoming on Saturday night, Velling was also on the receiving end of Uiagalelei’s first passing touchdown as a Beav in the season-opening win at San Jose State.
“It’s been awesome (working with DJ),” Velling said after the win against Cal. “He came in and he fit right in. It’s been great and he played awesome tonight.”
Velling declined any opportunity to take credit for his three touchdown night.
“It just played out that way,” he said.
Even on the crucial touchdown catch he had when the Beavs faced a 4th-and-goal from the three, “DJ just put the ball right where it needs to be and that’s it.”
Velling may not be the type of player to call his own number in front of microphones and cameras (he has Bolden to do that for him, anyways), but I doubt OSU Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren will hesitate to keep on calling plays for No. 88 in the playbook anytime soon. And if Lindgren keeps on calling it then no milestone in the Oregon State receiving record books is safe.