Three-star QB Caden Veltkamp stays home, commits to WKU
South Warren (Ky.) quarterback Caden Veltkamp had plenty of options, but chose to stay close to home and commit to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Thursday afternoon.
For the three-star prospect, the bonds within the community and the WKU staff played a big role in his decision.
"The relationships that I’ve built in the city of Bowling Green and the relationship I have with the staff. I couldn’t see myself leaving my hometown."
The relationship with the Hilltoppers staff starts at the very top with head coach Tyson Helton.
"Coach Helton, I’ve always had a great relationship with him and once Coach (Zach) Kittley was hired I’ve had a great relationship with him since he came in," Veltkamp explained.
"I know what I’m going to get from them. They are great coaches but more importantly they are great people and men. Both of them are really laid back off the field, but when you step on the turf it’s go time and the energy level goes through the roof. I knew that they really wanted me at Western but at the same time they gave me my space to make my decision."
Both Helton and Kittley have the upmost confidence in the 6-foot-5, 212-pound signal-caller and his abilities to run their high-octane offense.
"They know that I can come in and run a similar offense to the one at my high school. They know my football IQ is a strong point in my game. They also know that I can carry the football 6-10 times a game while throwing the ball 50 times."
Veltkamp chose the Hilltoppers over other offers from Kentucky, Appalachian State, Akron, Miami (Oh.), North Dakota State, and others.
He becomes the seventh overall commitment for Western Kentucky in their 2022 recruiting class and third in-state pledge - joining offensive linemen Luke Slusher of Beechwood (Ky.) and Evan Wibberley of Dixie Heights (Ky.).
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