Michigan State’s Matt Gulbin, Jack Velling named to Rimington, Mackey watch lists

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State had two more players added to two different preseason award watch lists today with redshirt-senior C Matt Gulbin and senior TE Jack Velling. Gulbin made the watchlist for the Dave Rimington Trophy, while Velling was added to the John Mackey Award watchlist.

Gulbin, a redshirt-senior offensive lineman, transferred to Michigan State from Wake Forest this past offseason with one season of eligibility remaining. He has been one of the early leaders since his arrival in East Lansing to help retool the offensive line for the Spartans.

Gulbin comes into the program with high expectations, having started 23 of the 24 games the last two seasons at Wake Forest. He has started 11 games at both left and right guard and one at center the past two years for the Demon Deacons.

The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in college football. The Rimington Trophy works in collaboration with Pro Football Focus (PFF) in compiling the preseason watch list which listed 40 players.

Last season Gulbin was named All-ACC honorable mention at offensive guard after starting all 12 games. He graded out as the No. 2 overall guard in the ACC conference.

Velling was listed in the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award for a second consecutive season. Velling returns to Michigan State for his second season in East Lansing after transferring from Oregon State in 2024.

Velling followed Head Coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to Michigan State and came to the Spartans as one of the most accomplished players for Smith while at Oregon State. Velling had some strong games last season, after a relatively slow start to the season.

He finished with a career best in receptions with 36 and yards with 411 in his first season at Michigan State, but his touchdown numbers decreased, with just one touchdown in 2024. Velling set a single-season record at Oregon State with eight touchdowns as a tight end in 2023 and was tied for the most among tight ends that season.

In his three-year career, Velling has 81 receptions for 1,130 yards and 12 touchdowns while playing in 35 career games with 28 starts. He earned second-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2023 at Oregon State under Brian Wozniak who is now the tight ends coach at Michigan State.

The Mackey Award honors the legacy of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, who is widely regarded along with Mike Ditka for revolutionizing the tight end position in the early 1960’s. The award was established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission.

Velling was one of 32 tight ends listed in the preseason watch list earlier today. Past winners of the Mackey Award include Kellen Winslow II (Miami FL, 2003), Mark Andrews (Oklahoma, 2017), Brock Bowers (Georgia, 2022 and 2023) and most recently Tyler Warren (Penn State, 2024).

Gulbin and Velling join senior wide receiver Omari Kelly and redshirt-junior wide receiver Chrishon McCray to be named to preseason watch lists this year. Kelly and McCray were named to the Bilnitkoff Award watchlist earlier this week, giving the Spartans four offensive players to receive preseason watch list recognition.