Joe Vellano: 5 Things You Need to Know About the DT

Defensive tackle Joe Vellano out of the University of Maryland is a classic tweener trying to make the transition to the NFL.

After an injury his freshman season as a Temp, Vellano had steady increases in production, peaking his junior season. A defensive scheme change his senior year saw his production drop slightly.

Vellano, a team captain in 2012, will look to show a variety of skills getting after the passer to convince NFL teams that may have questions about his speed and strength and role transitioning to the next level.

Background

Full Name: Joe Vellano

Birthday: Oct. 30, 1988

Hometown: Rexford, N.Y.

High School: Christian Brothers Academy

Major: Family Science

Year: Senior

Vellano has football in his blood. His father, Paul Vellano, was also a two-time All-ACC selection (1972-73) at defensive tackle for Maryland. Together they make for the first father-son All-America combo at the same school in ACC history.

Statistics

Vellano suffered a broken foot his redshirt freshman season but recovered to put in good production the rest of his college career.

As a junior, Vellano racked up 94 tackles at DT, an impressive feat. Vellano has a high motor and quickness off the snap that helps him chase down plays and get to the quarterback.

From the University of Maryland:

Defense	G-GS	UT	AT	TT	TFL	Sacks	FC	FR	PBU	Int
2009	5-0	0	1	1	0.0-0	0.0-0	0	0	0	0-0
2010	13-13	24	39	63	10.5-42	5.0-29	1	0	2	0-0
2011	12-12	54	40	94	7.5-22	2.5-15	2	2	4	0-0
Career	30-25	78	80	158	18.0-64	7.5-44	3	2	6	0-0

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 306 lbs

Arm Length: 32 3/8

Hand Size: 9"

(CBS Sports)

Vellano has typical so-called tweener measurables. If he can prove he can play, a creative defensive coach may find a variety of ways to use his skill set.

Interesting Facts

With his father Paul, the Vellanos represent the only two-time All-ACC selections at the same school in ACC history, as previously mentioned. They also represent one of four known in FBS history.

The others: Florida—Lee and Travis McGriff; Georgia—Kevin and Drew Butler; and finally, Ole Miss—Archie and Eli Manning.

His brother, Paul Jr., also played football at Rhode Island (2006-09) and has been a player-coach the last three years for the Parma Panthers of the Italian Football League.

Joe is a member of National Honor Society and enjoys boating in his spare time.

(University of Maryland)

Observations

Whether Vellano gets drafted or not, one team or another will take a flier on a guy with his amount of production.

Vellano will get his change to prove his chops this summer.

With his high motor, he figures to have an impact on a team that has a creative attack.