Welch, a 6'8" center from Fort Worth, Texas, attended the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School for high school, then the United States Air Force Academy (AFA) for college.

At the AFA, Welch played the critical center position in coach Joe Scott's Princeton offense.

He averaged 11.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game and led the Falcons to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 42 years.

[1] At the conclusion of the season, Welch was named Mountain West Conference co-player of the year (with Rafael Araújo of Brigham Young) and an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.

[3] As a senior, Welch averaged 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as he led the Falcons to the semifinals of the 2007 National Invitation Tournament.