Juan Velarde gives NCCU a championship-level leg and reliable scoring value
Velarde was a first-team All-MEAC punter in 2024, leading the conference at 44.8 yards per punt while also handling place-kicking duties and ranking fifth in scoring with 58 points[1]. He has been a steady weapon for North Carolina Central across multiple seasons, including a 2022 campaign where he ranked third in the MEAC at 41.3 yards per punt and helped fuel both a MEAC title and an HBCU national championship[4]. His standout traits are consistency, field-position control, and versatility—plus the off-field leadership to earn the 2024 FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award[1].
