ENGLEWOOD — The maturation of Devaughn Vele began at 18 years old on a small island in the South Pacific Ocean.

Vele, a rookie Broncos wide receiver, delayed his football journey after high school graduation in San Diego. Vele served on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission in the country where his family originated. He spent two years in Samoa.

It’s why Vele, 26, is the oldest among all Broncos rookies this season.

“I’m always going to be adamant when I say: ‘I don’t regret taking the two years.’ I know people make fun: ‘Oh, you’re 26 years old and whatnot.’ But I would never change it for the world,” Vele said on Thursday following practice at Broncos Park. “There were certain areas I was in where we didn’t have running water. We didn’t have a lot of food at the time, too. It wasn’t raining. So, we had to shower from buckets. All of those things made me realize how grateful I am and privileged we are in America to have the things that we have. It was a lot of great work. I met a lot of great people. I like to believe that through God I was able to help change lives, too.

“It shaped me into who I am today.”

Vele scored his first NFL touchdown last week in a 16-14 road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He pointed to the sky in celebration. It’s the latest step in a hard-earned football path delayed — but ultimately fueled — by faith.

“I did not let go of that ball,” Vele said regarding his 6-yard TD reception at Arrowhead Stadium. “I’ll probably keep it. Hopefully, I get a man cave or something. I’ll put it in there.”

In 2019, Vele walked on to play college football at Utah at 21 years old. He was put on scholarship as a redshirt sophomore, became a starter the following season, and finished as a senior with Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention honors. Vele posted 123 career catches for 1,689 yards and nine touchdowns with his athletic 6-foot-5 frame.

It caught the attention of Broncos general manager George Paton. The Broncos selected Vele with the No. 235 overall pick (seventh round) of the NFL draft. Maturity played to his advantage.

“I think that helps. I’m sure there’s some older knuckleheads, but he’s not one of them. He’s a mature guy by nature,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said on Thursday. “He’s quite a bit older having gone on a mission. Right away, you could kind of feel he was a grown up. He goes about his business the right way. If we had got him at 21, would it have been the same way?

“I’m not sure. But you can definitely see it.”

Vele has 22 receptions for 215 yards over six games played this season. He’s become a key target for rookie quarterback Bo Nix, especially on critical third downs. Vele has also left a strong impression on younger teammates at his position.

“He’s obviously a little older. His approach to the game is definitely different,” fellow rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin, 21, said regarding Vele. “He’s locked in on his assignments. He’s always putting in extra time and things like that. We can tell that he really cares about the game.”

Vele said he makes it “a priority to make sure the quarterbacks feel comfortable” with correct route depth and timing. It all came together last Sunday — facing third-and-5 in the red zone — to lead the Chiefs 7-0 early in Kansas City.

Vele lined up in the slot, fought through a Chiefs linebacker on a post route, and caught a dart from Nix while falling into the end zone.

It was all worth the wait.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Vele said. “It’s a moment you dream about since you were a kid, getting your first touchdown. I’m happy that coaches and my teammates put me in that position to be able to score. I just want to make sure I keep that momentum going.”