Latest news with #JackVelling
USA Today
08-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State football tight end Jack Velling named to Mackey Award watchlist
For the second year in a row, Michigan State football tight end Jack Velling is on the Mackey Award watchlist. The Mackey Award is given to the top tight end in college football, and there is a lot of hype around Velling heading into his senior season. Last year, Velling made the watchlist after transferring to MSU from Oregon State, following his coach Jonathan Smith from Corvallis. While Velling did set a career-high in receptions with 36, his 411 yards were a step back from what he did in his sophomore season with the Beavers. Some fans were also disappointed in the production (Velling only caught one touchdown pass compared to eight the year prior with Oregon State), although I think it's fair to say the lower production wasn't exactly his fault as the Spartans' offense sputtered at times with some weak pass protection. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Best Spartans in new EA Sports College Football 26 video game
Can you name who is the highest-rated player on the Spartans in this year's college football video game? It may surprise you... The newest version of EA Sports' college football video game for this year has been released, with fans getting their first taste on Monday. The pre-orders for the game were distributed on Monday, with the full release set for Thursday. Michigan State is not one of the top 25 rated teams in the country in this year's game -- which comes as no surprise. But who are the highest-rated players in the game on their roster? That is something that is interesting to examine -- so without further ado, let's take a look at some of the highest-rated Spartans in this year's video game below: Jack Velling (TE) Rating: 88 Chrishon McCray (WR) Rating: 87 Omari Kelly Rating: 85 Nick Marsh (WR) Rating: 84 Ryan Eckley (P) Rating: 84 Nikai Martinez (SS) Rating: 84 Wayne Matthews III (LB) Rating: 83 Elijah Tau-Tolliver (RB) Rating: 82 Jalen Thompson (Edge) Rating: 82 Matt Gulbin (C) Rating: 82 Aidan Chiles (QB) Rating: 81 Malik Spencer (FS) Rating: 81 Grady Kelly (DT) Rating: 81 Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State TE Jack Velling ranked near top of Big Ten by popular podcast
A popular podcast has ranked Spartans tight end Jack Velling as one of the best in the Big Ten for his position. Both of the hosts on The Big Ten Huddle podcast included Velling as one of their top three tight ends in the conference this upcoming season. Velling came in at No. 2 in the Big Ten by Jon 'JR' Rhoades, and No. 3 by Zack Gugenheim. In 2024, Velling tallied 36 catches for 411 yards and one touchdown, posting a career most catches in a season. In total, over his three year college career, Velling has posted 81 catches for 1,130 yards and 12 touchdowns. Velling has received quite a bit of praise this offseason, with Pro Football Focus considering him one of the best returning tight ends in the country. Michigan State's tight ends tandem of Velling and Michael Masunas were ranked as the top tight ends group in the Big Ten by Tony Liebert of Bring Me The News earlier this offseason as well. Check out the complete rankings from the two popular podcasters below: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
EA Sports reveals early ratings for Michigan State players in College Football 26
EA Sports is all set to launch the College Football 26 video game on July 10. However, ahead of the launch the early player ratings have surfaced online increasing an excitement among Michigan State fans. While no Spartan player cracked the elusive 90+ overall mark, several key contributors and promising talents have received solid initial ratings. The highest-rated Spartan in the game, according to early leaks, is senior tight end Jack Velling , coming in with an 88 overall. Despite a somewhat quiet first season in East Lansing, expectations are clearly high for Velling as he enters his final collegiate year. Close behind him is transfer redshirt junior wide receiver Chrishon McCray with an 87 overall. McCray, who transferred from Kent State, is expected to be a major playmaker in the Spartans' passing game. Fellow transfer wideout Omari Kelly, a senior from Middle Tennessee State, also received a respectable 85 overall. On the defensive side, senior defensive back Nikai Martinez secured an 84 overall, entering his second season with Michigan State after starting all 12 games last year. Notably, redshirt junior punter Ryan Eckley also received an 84 overall, a testament to his strong performance last season where he led the Big Ten in punting average. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Perhaps the most debated rating among the early reveals is that of sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh , who currently sits at an 84 overall. Many Spartan fans and analysts believe this rating is "criminally low," anticipating a breakout season from Marsh that could see his rating significantly increase in future game updates. He is currently ranked as the third-highest receiver on the team within the game, a placement that has raised eyebrows given his potential. Other notable ratings include: * QB Aidan Chiles: 81 Overall * RB Nathan Carter: 85 Overall * C Tanner Miller: 87 Overall * LB Wayne Matthews III: 83 Overall It's important to remember that these are early, initial ratings, and EA Sports has a history of adjusting player overalls throughout the game's lifecycle based on real-world performance. For now, Spartan fans can begin strategizing their dynasty runs and eagerly await the full launch of EA Sports College Football 25 to take control of their favorite Michigan State stars. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
USA Today
28-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
MSU tight end Jack Velling considered one of the best returning TEs in America
MSU tight end Jack Velling considered one of the best returning TEs in America Michigan State seemingly landed a massive addition to their team last offseason when tight end Jack Velling came to East Lansing from Corvallis with Jonathan Smith and company. While most things in 2024 were forgettable, even the season Velling had, the Michigan State tight end is still considered one of the best returning tight ends in the country, at least according to Pro Football Focus. PFF has Velling ranked as the No. 8 returning tight end in the nation, and the senior for the Spartans will need to play like that for the Spartans to have a chance at drastically improving in 2025. In 2024, Velling tallied 36 catches for 411 yards and one touchdown, posting a career most catches in a season. In total, over his three year college career, Velling has posted 81 catches for 1,130 yards and 12 touchdowns. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
