2024 SEASON: Played in six games with one start for the Denver Broncos (Weeks 1-6) and in nine games with one start as well as two postseason contests for the Baltimore Ravens⊠Totaled eight tackles (five solo) on defense and five tackles and a fumble recovery on special teams during the regular season and a tackle on special teams in the playoffsâŠSpent the offseason and training camp with the Packers before being released by the team on Aug. 27âŠAt Seattle (Sept. 8): Played 17 snaps on defense in his Broncos debut and tied his career high with two tackles (both assists) while playing 18 snaps on special teams and posting a tackleâŠVs. Pittsburgh (Sept. 15): Made his first career start, appearing on 10 snaps on defense and tying his career high with two tackles (career-high two solo)âŠAt N.Y. Jets (Sept. 29): Tied his career high with two tackles (one solo) on three defensive snaps. With the Jets at the Denver 1, stopped RB Breece Hall for no gain on back-to-back plays late in the first quarterâŠVs. Cincinnati (Nov. 7): Played 23 snaps and tied his career high with two tackles on special teams.
2023: Appeared in 12 games on special teams, recording six tackles (No. 3 on the team)âŠPlayed in both postseason contests on special teams, recording a tackleâŠWas signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Sept. 28âŠVs. Detroit (Sept. 28): Played 20 snaps on special teams in his Green Bay debutâŠAt Pittsburgh (Nov. 12): Played 18 special teams snaps, recording two tackles (tied career high). Made tackles on back-to-back kickoff returns in the third quarter, taking down RB Anthony McFarland Jr. with the help of LB Eric Wilson on the first and tackling McFarland again with the help of S Zayne Anderson on the secondâŠAt Detroit (Nov. 23): Appeared on 15 special teams snaps, recording a tackle on kickoff return coverageâŠAt Minnesota (Dec. 31): Played 18 snaps on special teams, recording one tackle on kickoff coverageâŠVs. Chicago (Jan. 7): Appeared on nine special teams snaps, recording one tackle on kickoff coverageâŠAt Dallas (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 14): Played 14 snaps on special teams, making one tackle on kickoff coverage.
2022: Appeared primarily on special teams in all 17 regular-season games, recording two tackles and helping Baltimore's special teams rank No. 3 in Football Outsiders' DVOA ratingâŠAlso registered a tackle (solo) on defenseâŠPlayed in the lone postseason contest and recorded a tackle on special teamsâŠVs. Cincinnati (Oct. 9): Played on 18 special teams snaps and posted a tackle on kickoff coverageâŠVs. Cleveland (Oct. 23): Played on three defensive snaps and registered a tackle (solo). Also saw action on 22 special teams plays and recorded a tackle on punt coverageâŠAt Cincinnati (AFC Wild Card, Jan. 15): Played on 18 special teams snaps and recorded a tackle on a kickoff in the second quarter.
2021: Saw action in 16 games primarily on special teams, where he tied for No. 2 on the team with nine special teams tackles and helped Baltimore's unit rank No. 1 in Football Outsiders' DVOA ratingâŠAdded a career-best four tackles (all assists) on defenseâŠAt Chicago (Nov. 21): Played 21 special teams snaps and posted a career-high two special teams tacklesâŠVs. Cleveland (Nov. 28): Saw action on a season-high 10 defensive snaps and posted a tackle, helping limit the Browns to a season-low 40 rushing yardsâŠAt Cleveland (Dec. 12): Played nine defensive snaps and posted a career-best two tackles (both assists). Also saw action on 26 special teams plays and tied his career high with two tackles, limiting WR JoJo Natson to returns of 1 and 6 yards on punts.
2020: Played in eight games as a rookie, primarily on special teams and posted four special teams tackles for a unit that allowed only 5.7 yards per punt return (No. 4 in the NFL) and 21.1 yards per kickoff return (No. 10)âŠAt Philadelphia (Oct. 18): Made his NFL debut and recorded a special teams tackleâŠAt Tennessee (AFC Wild Card, Jan. 10): Made his postseason debut, seeing action on special teamsâŠ2020 Draft: Signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent on May 6.
COLLEGE: Appeared in 46 games with 16 starts, recording 145 tackles (74 solo), 4œ sacks, 10œ tackles for a loss, two interceptions, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveriesâŠWas a two-time (2018-19) Academic All-Big Ten honoreeâŠGraduated with a degree in enterprise leadershipâŠ2019: Served as a defensive captain and started at middle linebacker in all 10 games he played inâŠNamed honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and mediaâŠLed the team with 87 tackles (44 solo), adding nine tackles for a loss, three sacks, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recoveryâŠRecorded 11 tackles (six solo), a sack, 1œ tackles for a loss and a pass defensed vs. Minnesota (Nov. 16)âŠPosted a career-high 12 tackles (10 solo), a sack, 1œ tackles for a loss and a forced fumble vs. Illinois (Nov. 23)âŠ2018: Played in 12 games with six starts, posting 49 tackles (26 solo), 1œ sacks, 1œ tackles for a loss, an INT, two passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recoveryâŠRecorded a team-high eight tackles (four solo) and a fumble recovery vs. Northern Iowa (Sept. 15), helping a defense that held NIU to just 6 rushing yardsâŠ2017: Appeared in 11 games, recording six tackles (two solo), an INT and a pass defensedâŠ2016: Saw action in all 13 games, posting three tackles (two solo) as a redshirt freshman.
PERSONAL: Given name Kristian Keith WelchâŠBorn in Iola, Wis. âŠMarried, wife's name is Maddie...The couple has a son, Jace...Was one of only 52 students in his HS graduating classâŠHigh school: Prepped at Iola-Scandinavia (Iola, Wis.) High School, where he played both LB and RB, helping his team reach the state playoffs in three straight yearsâŠRushed 85 times for 1,000 yards (11.8 avg.) and 10 TDs and recorded 75 tackles on defense as a senior, earning all-state and all-region honorsâŠNamed first-team all-conference as both an LB and RB in his junior and senior years...Also played on the basketball team, serving as a team captain and earning team MVP honors⊠Community involvement: Took part in Huddle for Heroes, a military-appreciation event that involved a Q&A session, writing letters to active-duty military members and mingling with veterans through interactive sports games...Participated in the Baltimore Ravens' annual organization-wide volunteer day to build a state-of-the-art playground and provide significant upgrades at Morrell Park Elementary/Middle School and Recreation Center in Baltimore City (2023)âŠJoined teammates to host a holiday party at St. Vincent's Villa, interacting with and serving food to students (2022)âŠJoined Jameel McClain's 53 Families Thanksgiving event to serve a warm meal to families in need during the holiday (2022)âŠParticipated in My Cause My Cleats to raise awareness for the Warrior Rising Organization and veteran entrepreneurship (2022)âŠParticipated in Flags With the Flock alongside military families of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (2022)⊠Joined teammates in celebrating the NFL's Salute to Service initiative by participating in the Ravens' Youth Military Combine for children of service members (2021).