Michigan State football: Jack Velling ranked a top-10 TE for 2024

Jonathan Smith and tight ends coach Brian Wozniak made a major power move this offseason, bringing in Oregon State transfer Jack Velling to take over the starting role with Michigan State football.

It wasn't exactly a huge surprise to see Velling commit to Michigan State after his head coach and position coach both left for East Lansing. He felt like they gave him the opportunity to excel in Corvallis and they made him the player he is today. It was a good fit because he knows their system and will have no problem adjusting, especially with Aidan Chiles joining him.

Velling was one of the most productive tight ends in college football last season, catching 29 passes for 438 yards and eight touchdowns and it felt like a priority for Smith and Wozniak to bring him to East Lansing with them. And he followed.

There's a good chance that the soon-to-be junior will be one of the top tight ends in the next two draft classes and Pro Football Focus actually agrees.

In fact, Pro Football Focus released its ranking of the top 10 returning tight ends in college football for the 2024 season and Velling made the cut. He was all the way up at No. 8.

This ranking also makes Velling the second-best tight end in the Big Ten heading into next season, behind only Michigan's Colston Loveland and ahead of Iowa's Luke Lachey.

I would not be shocked to see Velling become a focal point on offense and actually blossom into the "MVP" on this side of the ball -- something Jay Johnson always promised from his tight ends but never delivered. Velling could end up being Michigan State's best and most productive tight end since Josiah Price.