Michigan State Tight Ends Coach Brian Wozniak Talks Jack Velling

Michigan State tight ends coach Brian Wozniak is back to coaching new Spartans tight end Jack Velling, whom he coached at Oregon State.

Nov 11, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers tight end Jack Velling (88) runs the ball / Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

New Michigan State tight ends coach Brian Wozniak has the luxury of having one of his best tight ends from Oregon State back with him, Jack Velling.

Wozniak has coached Velling over the past two seasons, helping guide him to becoming a 2023 All-Pac-12 Second Team honoree.

"I think the coolest thing about Velling is how he is as a teammate," Wozniak told reporters after the Spartans' spring practice on Thursday. "I think he's a great player don't get me wrong. He's always going to be that approachable teammate. I think having that aspect to his game, he's going to help the guys around him.

"For all these quarterbacks, we tell them in the tight end room, we are their security blanket. That is our goal in the pass game. What that means is the details in our game. When they see us fighting and clawing on having the details in our game, hopefully it pans out, quarterbacks recognize it and they start coming to us more."

Wozniak moving to Michigan State was, of course, a significant factor in Velling's decision to join the Spartans this offseason.

"It's great," Wozniak said. "I think in coaching, everyone has a different approach but the connection with players is always important. Having a deep enough rooted connection for him to be interested in coming out here and being away from home is awesome. Trust in his parents, trust in him for moving to Michigan, that's awesome.

"At the same time, I gave him the same tone, we're coming out here to work, get better and improve. Not only individually but as a team. That's the kind of guy who buys in and makes it easier for me."

While Velling can be a threat in the receiving game, Wozniak has been pleased with his tight end's blocking ability throughout spring practice so far.

"He can improve but he's done a pretty good job this spring," Wozniak said. "I do think anytime you bring a kid to college and running the schemes we are, the blocking is always going to be second. It's hard to teach, hard to get comfortable with and a lot of muscle memory. I do think the guys are trying to make that a part of their game. No block, no rock."

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