Football is a game of inches, but for Michigan State fans, it’s been a game of medical reports lately. If you’ve been following the Spartans, you know the name Jack Velling isn't just another number on the roster. He’s the guy who followed Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to East Lansing with a massive target on his back—literally and figuratively. After a scary moment in late 2024 and some nagging issues in the 2025 season, everyone is asking the same thing: is he actually 100%?
The short answer? Yeah, he's back. But the road there was anything but smooth.
The Purdue Scare and the Long Road Back
Let’s go back to November 2024. That night against Purdue was a gut-punch for the MSU faithful. Velling took a hit from Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman that looked bad immediately. He was placed on a backboard and carted off. Honestly, when you see a player immobilized like that, your mind doesn't go to "when is he playing again?" It goes to "is he okay as a person?"
Thankfully, it was eventually classified as an upper-body injury. He actually made it back for the season finale against Rutgers that year, which was a minor miracle in itself. But it set a tone for a player who has had to be incredibly resilient.
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Fast forward to the 2025 preseason. Just when people thought the "injury bug" was done with him, a left foot injury sidelined him during fall camp. Foot injuries for 245-pound tight ends are notoriously tricky. They linger. They mess with your explosiveness.
Jonathan Smith, in his typical coach-speak, kept saying Velling was "close" or "looking fine," but the reality was more frustrating for the player. Velling admitted himself that missing fall camp was tough. He had to take "mental reps" while watching from the sidelines, which is basically the athlete version of being grounded while your friends are at a party.
Breaking Down the 2025 Performance
If you looked at the stats early in the 2025 season, you might have thought Velling had lost a step. One catch for three yards against Western Michigan? Zero catches against Boston College?
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That wasn't a lack of talent. It was a guy playing at about 80% capacity.
- Week 1 (Western Michigan): He played 47 of 70 snaps but didn't run many deep routes. The staff was clearly easing him in.
- Week 2 (Boston College): He was still finding his rhythm and dealing with the rust of a missed camp.
- The Turning Point: Against Youngstown State, the "real" Jack Velling finally showed up. Six catches, 70 yards, and he finally looked like the guy who led the nation in tight end touchdowns back at Oregon State.
What Most People Get Wrong About Velling's Status
There's a common misconception that Velling is "injury-prone." I don't buy it. If you look at the hits he’s taken, most players wouldn't have bounced back as fast as he did from that Purdue collision.
The foot injury in 2025 was more about the coaching staff being ultra-cautious. They knew they needed him for the Big Ten gauntlet, not just for a non-conference opener. Brian Wozniak, the tight ends coach, has been vocal about how Velling’s value isn't just in the box score. Even when he wasn't catching passes, he was drawing double teams that opened things up for guys like Nick Marsh.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 NFL Draft Horizon
As we move into 2026, the conversation has shifted from "is he hurt?" to "where is he going in the draft?"
Pro Football Focus and other major outlets have already started slotting him into their early 2026 big boards. He’s got the prototypical size (6-foot-5) and the proven production from his sophomore year. Scouts aren't worried about the foot injury anymore because his late-season tape in 2025 showed he regained his twitch.
Basically, the "update" on Jack Velling is that the medical red flags have mostly turned back to green. He finished the 2025 season healthy, showing the same connection with quarterback Aidan Chiles that made them so dangerous in Corvallis.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking Velling for fantasy purposes, devy leagues, or just because you bleed Green and White, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the Snap Counts, Not Just Receptions: Velling’s health is best indicated by how many blocking assignments he takes. If he's in there for 60+ snaps, his body is holding up.
- Red Zone Focus: His "8-touchdown" season at Oregon State was a result of specific play-calling. In 2026, expect Michigan State to lean on him more in the "low red" area as his mobility is back to 100%.
- The Chiles Connection: Velling's production is tied to Aidan Chiles’ development. Now that both are healthy and have a full year of the MSU system under their belts, the statistical ceiling is much higher.
Check the official Michigan State injury reports leading into spring ball, but as of right now, Velling has moved past the foot and upper-body scares that defined his 2024-2025 stretch. He’s arguably the most complete tight end in the Big Ten when he’s healthy, and for the first time in a long time, he actually is.