Welcome to the first chapter of Joseph’s Gems 2026.

But before we move forward — what’s a Gem?

Gems are measured by a select handful of categories:

Size — How they compare amongst traditional NFL counterparts

RAS — Do they possess the athleticism to compete at the highest level?

Stats — When on the field, did they make plays?

Competition — How did they perform when the lights were the brightest?

All-Star Recognition — Following recent Packers trends, did the prospect receive an invite to an All-Star Game, and how did they perform?

Based on these parameters, prospects can be classified as follows:

0 out of 5: Coal

1 out of 5: Very Included

2 out of 5: Included

3 out of 5: Slightly Included

4 out of 5: Gem

5 out of 5: Diamond in the Rough

So, for our first Gem of 2026, we’ll cover Houston Cougar, Zelmar Vedder.

Zelmar Vedder hails from Modesto, California, where he played at Division IV East Union. Vedder, then the team's MVP, led East Union to the playoffs before falling in the 2nd Round to the eventual state runner-ups. Despite securing All Valley-Oak League honors, Zelmar received zero offers and stayed home to play for Modesto Junior College, contributing early with 200 return yards and 4 interceptions (including a 97-yard pick-six) to help them to an 8-3 record. Having generated a little buzz for himself, local FCS power Sacramento State came calling.

Vedder redshirted his first year at Sac State due to injury, but from 2023-2024, he was in the mix, nabbing an interception and a sack against Weber St. in 2024. Looking to further make a name for himself, he entered the portal for a final time, finding a home in Houston in the Big 12.

Vedder didn’t secure a starting role this past spring, but Houston Defensive Coordinator Austin Armstrong still found ways to get him on the field, rotating him in to spell starters. Vedder even saw time at safety and nickel and occasionally on special teams.

What's the first thing you see when you look at Zelmar Vedder? Length. At 6'3", 195, his frame gets you a little excited — and I honestly think with the right program, he can get to 205. Now the next question is, does that length show up on tape? Yes, it does! Vedder stays in phase and in the frame. A good WR will beat you every now and then, but Vedder doesn't get burnt. He uses those near 32-inch arms well, going for either the INT or the PBU. He's got a good trigger to him and will come downhill in the run game. I’ll admit there’s a bit of work to do with his tackling (which I believe are just mental lapses) — but nothing major. I'd say he's scheme-versatile, which is probably what attracted the Coogs' Armstrong, who runs a multiple-scheme defense. While Armstrong's scheme isn't necessarily complex, I do think it slowed his processing a bit, especially with the added responsibility of learning multiple positions. Had he had another year in the system, I'm betting on marked improvement.

You can watch Vedder's highlight tape from his Junior season at Sacramento State below

So is Vedder a Gem? Hmmm....

Size

At 6'3, 195, there's not a single NFL GM who wouldn't like that in a boundary corner. Nuff said. Check.

RAS

Vedder isn't a burner, but he has adequate speed and agility combined with elite explosion. I'm satisfied, you should be too. Check.

Stats 

7 PBUs, 1 FF, and 14 solo tackles in his senior season aren't anything to scoff at, especially considering Vedder wasn't a starter. But you do wish there was a little more. No check.

Competition 

Vedder only had one year at college football's highest level, and unfortunately, while he did see the field at a decent clip, he didn't always draw the best weapons the opposing offense had to offer. I do feel he did his job as best he could. For that, I'd say mission accomplished. Vedder can run with and cover NFL-caliber WRs. To what extent remains to be seen, but he's definitely in the room. I'm going to give him a check.

All-Star Recognition

None. No check.

Certification

With a score of 3 out of 5, Houston's Zelmar Vedder can be certified as Slightly Included, who should hear his name called in the 6th Round!!!!

Are the Packers interested in Zelmar Vedder?

Hard to say, Vedder only recently got buzz due to his Pro Day, and now folks like me are starting to gather details. Vedder is scheme-versatile, which is good because Jonathan Gannon will likely change a lot defensively, and like Jeff Hafley before him, there's probably an inkling that Gannon is here for a good time and not a long time. It would do the Packers well to bring in personnel who can fit a variety of schemes, in case they hire their 3rd DC in probably less than 7 years. Vedder isn’t a guy you expect to see on the field immediately (but I wouldn't call it a longshot either), except on teams where he could step in as a sufficient returner right away. He's a guy who's got good measureables, tools, and build that you can mold to your liking. He doesn't have any bad habits like being overly grabby or undisciplined. But what he does have is enough man and zone skills to intrigue you, and if he got into a system and was coached up the right way, at worst, you'd have your third boundary corner on the depth chart probably by Year 3; which might turn into CB2 given Benjamin St-Juste and Keisean Nixon will both be Free Agents by then. This defensive back class is fickle, and front offices are going to be divided on many of them, but when this position group gets thin, which I expect it do so right around the beginning to the middle of the 4th Round, Vedder is going to be a name that scouts are going to start floating around in their respective war rooms as a pick that if you play the long game, you just could win big. Vedder is worth the dig. The question is whether the Packers are willing to drill baby drill.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Gems where I get down in the trenches looking at one of the big uglies.

#GPG