Welch grew up in Buffalo, Minnesota and attended Buffalo High School, where he lettered in football, hockey, lacrosse and track & field.[1] During his senior season, he led the team and state of Minnesota with 1,032 receiving yards, 13 touchdown receptions which ranked second in the state and 60 receptions which ranked third.[2] He was a three-star rated recruit and committed to play college football at the University of Wyoming[3] over offers from Brown, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa and Western Illinois.[4]
College career
During Welch's true freshman season in 2019, he appeared in seven games and started one of them.[5] During the 2020 season, he appeared in all six games and started five of them. He finished the season with five catches for 95 yards, averaging 19 yards per reception.[6][7] During the 2021 season, he played in all 12 games and started 11 of them. He finished the season with 19 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per reception.[8] During the 2022 season, he played in and started all 12 games, finishing the season with 22 catches for 308 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 14 yards per reception. He also made one solo tackle.[9] During the 2023 season, he played in all 13 games and started 10 of them, finishing the season with 31 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 9.9 yards per reception.[10]