Jim Mashek

FORMER SOUTH WARREN STAR EARNED MVP HONORS IN TOPS’ BOWL GAME EARLIER THIS MONTH

After one month in the NCAA’s Transfer Portal, Western Kentucky redshirt sophomore quarterback Caden Veltkamp announced Wednesday that he’ll be returning to the Hilltoppers.

Veltkamp took over for an ineffective Turner Helton late in the first quarter of the one-and-done Famous Toastery Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina, before completing his first 15 passes and throwing for 383 yards and five touchdowns in the Hilltoppers’ dramatic 38-35 victory over Old Dominion University.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound quarterback, who guided South Warren High School to the KHSAA Class 5A state championship in 2021, was uncertain about his future after the bowl game. He indicated the WKU coaches planned to move him to tight end for the 2024 season, seemingly balking at that idea.

Turner Helton and Veltkamp got extensive playing time in the bowl game because Austin Reed, the Tops’ starting QB for the last two seasons, elected to opt out and heal from injuries before his appearance in the East-West Shrine Bowl on February 1 in California, and then preparation for the NFL Draft.

The Hilltoppers have become a prolific passing squad under fifth-year coach Tyson Helton, who played quarterback at the University of Houston in the late 1990s before going into the coaching ranks.

Veltkamp issued a statement through WKU’s Red Towel Trust, which works with student-athletes in the evolving Name/Image/Likeness field, indicating he’ll be returning to the Hilltoppers after an 8-5 season. Western Kentucky had been a strong favorite in a revamped Conference USA before the season, but the Hilltoppers were soundly defeated in home games against first-year C-USA members Liberty University and New Mexico State.

WKU also dropped a 20-17 decision on the road against Jacksonville State (Alabama), which was playing NCAA FBS football for the first season in addition to being a first-year member of Conference USA.

Veltkamp had received interest from several FCS schools and FBS Group of Five programs, in the Mid-South and beyond, according to sources.

Veltkamp will be participating in WKU’s spring football drills for the third time in a few months, as he graduated early from South Warren High School after leading the Spartans to a 38-26 victory over Lexington’s Frederick Douglass High School in the KHSAA Class 5A state championship game.

Veltkamp played in just three of the Hilltoppers’ 13 games over the course of the 2023 season, including the bowl game.

Veltkamp’s statement through the Red Towel Trust was simple and to the point:

“I’m back.” #10 (His signature.)”

WKU trailed Old Dominion 28-0 before Veltkamp and the Hilltoppers climbed their way back into the game, twice overcoming three-touchdown deficits in the second half. Glasgow’s Dalvin Smith, who is also returning for his senior year at WKU, had three touchdown receptions. Veltkamp fired a 15-yard TD pass on a fourth-and-goal play in the final minute against Old Dominion, finding freshman WKU wideout K.D. Hutchinson in the left corner of the end zone for the score.

The Hilltoppers won the game in overtime, 38-35, on Lucas Carniero’s 29-yard field goal. Veltkamp also led the Tops with 55 yards rushing.

Veltkamp spent three years as the starting quarterback at South Warren, succeeding former Duke University quarterback Gavin Spurrier for the 2019 season. He also played basketball for the Spartans.

Veltkamp’s father, Jason Veltkamp, is the strength and conditioning coach at WKU, and his younger brother, Colton Veltkamp, is a junior at South Warren who plays football and basketball. Colton Veltkamp, however, plays tight end and outside linebacker for the Spartans.

Veteran South Warren football coach Brandon Smith was quick to sing Caden Veltkamp’s praises after his performance in the Famous Toastery Bowl.

“Caden’s just a winner,” Smith said. “He waited for his opportunity … and he showed what he can do on the field. Everybody at South Warren is thrilled for him. Ecstatic.”