EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first story I posted on jimmashek.com, in early September. I’ll be covering Caden Veltkamp’s national letter of intent signing with Western Kentucky University on Wednesday. Veltkamp and South Warren High School won the school’s third KHSAA state championship earlier this month.
VELTKAMP, TWO SOUTH TEAMMATES WILL SIGN WITH WKU ON WEDNESDAY
South Warren High School football coach Brandon Smith remembers the first time Caden Veltkamp ambled into the Spartans’ field house.
Veltkamp was entering his freshman year at South Warren, after playing middle school football in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. A quarterback with long arms and legs, Smith said Veltkamp stood about 6-foot-2, when Gavin Spurrier was still slinging the ball around the field for the Spartans in 2018.
“Caden came to that first workout, and he was tall. Real skinny,” Smith recalled. “But you could see he could play. Right away.”
Turns out, Veltkamp had already touched base with Spurrier and a couple other Spartans teammates, and he was poised to make a quick impression. He just needed to work on his body.
“I was about 150 pounds when I got here,” Voltkamp said with a laugh. “The guys here made me feel comfortable. They said they were happy to have me.
“Gavin (who now plays at Duke University) is actually one of my best friends on the planet. He’s kind of been a mentor for me.”
Veltkamp has entered his third and final season as the South Warren starting quarterback, and he now stands about 6-foot-5 and weighs between 215 and 220 pounds. He’s already verbally committed to Western Kentucky University, where his father, Jason Veltkamp, serves as the Hilltoppers’ strength coach. Veltkamp has a kid brother in the South Warren program, too, in freshman tight end/defensive back Colton Veltkamp, who has started the season at the JV level.
Caden Veltkamp and the Spartans opened the season in the nightcap of the Rafferty’s Bowl at WKU’s Houchens/L.T. Smith Stadium, and South Warren used a fast start to whip North Hardin 30-7. The next week, however, the Spartans ran into a tough, physical Hendersonville (Tennessee) squad, dropping a 27-20 decision to the visiting Commandos.
South Warren (1-1) faces another squad from outside the Commonwealth on Friday night. The Spartans will play host to Gibson Southern of Fort Branch, Indiana. South Warren’s first true road test, a September 17 game against Paducah Tighlman, has been canceled because of the COVID-19 protocol.
Veltkamp couldn’t wait to play at Western Kentucky, where he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business and sports management.
“Usually, at Western, I’m up in the stands with my buddies, or other recruits,” Veltkamp said. “The whole team was excited about playing there, under the lights.”
Veltkamp fought through a right wrist injury in 2019, sharing the quarterbacking duties with Mason Willingham as the Spartans finished the season 10-2. Both of those losses, however, came at the hands of Bowling Green. And then last season, when the COVID-19 pandemic limited South Warren to FIVE regular-season games, the Spartans finished 6-1 after a 41-24 loss to Bowling Green in second-round 5A play.
Veltkamp completed 99 of 168 passes for 1,324 yards and 17 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. In 2019, he completed 76 of 122 passes for 1,007 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was intercepted just once.
His greatest progress, Brandon Smith believes, has probably been in his preparation, in his attention to detail from week to week.
“His mind for the game really stands out,” Smith said. “Caden’s made physical improvement, too, but he has a great feel for the game.
“The best way to put it is Caden has an approach to the game that is very adult-like.”
Junior offensive lineman Mason Smith is quick to concur.
“Caden sets a good example on the practice field,” Smith said. “His leadership is impressive. His effort is always there. Caden’s a great teammate.”
Veltkamp started playing tackle football when he was in second grade. He chose WKU over Indiana, Appalachian State and North Dakota State, the NCAA FCS powerhouse. NDSU was an intriguing possibility, Veltkamp admits, but the chance to play for his hometown school was too good to pass up.
Senior offensive lineman Cole Dennis likes Veltkamp’s ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and Brandon Smith said he’s improved his footwork in the pocket. Add it all up, with Veltkamp’s experience, and the Spartans definitely will be a team to watch come November.
“This team has all the potential in the world,” Dennis said. “It’s all about trusting each other and believing in our team.”
Brandon Smith, the veteran South Warren coach and a former WKU quarterback himself, doesn’t run from expectations.
“Caden’s a mature kid,” Smith said. “He’s got one thing on his mind. He wants to win a state championship. We’re at a place now, with our program, where we expect to contend every year.”
