Utah's Devaughn Vele Sets Focus on Proving NFL Doubters Wrong
It’s hard to dislike Devaughn Vele. Originally a redshirt walk-on for the University of Utah Utes in 2019, the 6-foot-5 receiver has come a long way and earned an opportunity to showcase his skills to NFL teams at the 2024 Combine in Indianapolis.
As a football and basketball athlete at Rancho Bernardo HS in California, Vele did not receive a single division one offer out of high school. Even then, the 2016 Polynesian All-American bowler tried out for the Utes in 2019 after serving a two-year mission with the LDS Church in Samoa, and despite the odds against him, managed to make the team.
And it's a good thing he did, as Vele turned his walk-on opportunity into an extremely lucrative five-season career with the Utes.
After only hauling in two receptions in his first two seasons at Utah, Vele would break out in 2021, play three seasons as a starting receiver for Utah, and finish his collegiate career with 123 receptions for 1689 yards and nine total receiving touchdowns.
Even greater, Vele would end his career with the storybook moment of having his name be among the six Utes invited to the 2024 NFL Combine.
Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele (WO31) talks to the media during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Despite all of this, Vele’s path to the NFL isn't going to be easy. But that doesn't seem to scare him.
In an interview with Combine reporters, the former Utah receiver had this to say regarding what it might take to earn a shot in the NFL:
“This isn't foreign territory to me. I’ve been a walk-on before. Whether I go drafted -- late round, or undrafted, it doesn't mean anything to me, I’m just going to have that same hunger…and I feel like I’m going to prove a lot of people wrong.”
With that kind of mentality, Vele will surely get his shot.
Late-round and undrafted receivers from Utah have made the most of their NFL opportunities as of late. Just last season, BYU receiver Puka Nacua set the NFL rookie record for receptions and receiving yards after being selected late in the 2023 draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
Additionally, Vele’s former teammate, Britain Covey made the most of his shot, becoming the Philadelphia Eagles punt specialist after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Vele will be 26 years old if/when he makes an NFL roster. Despite his unusual age for a rookie, he possesses a skillset and portfolio that speaks for itself, one that is sure to earn him a spot in an NFL training camp.
