Bellevue West quarterback Daniel Kaelin announced his commitment to Nebraska on Saturday.
The biggest thing that went into it for me was being able to stay home,” the 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback said. “I’m going to have my family and friends and knowing that support system will be nearby is huge for me.”
Kaelin originally committed to Missouri in March. Friday, he announced he had de-committed from the Tigers. Missouri offered Kaelin in March of 2022; Nebraska originally offered Kaelin over two years ago as a freshman.
“Being around and growing up in Nebraska with the rich tradition and incredible fanbase is something that is important to me,” he said. “I’ve thought about playing at Nebraska for a long time, since I was eight years old when we first moved here (Nebraska).
“I’ve gone to their little kid camps and visited campus a bunch of times, it’s kind of a dream come true.”
A three-star prospect according to 247Sports composite ranking, he threw for 3,186 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season.
His belief in the new coaching staff, particularly Matt Rhule, is also a big reason Kaelin flipped to Nebraska.
“I believe in coach Rhule and the staff,” he said. “I think they have had the potential and talent for a long time. I think he (Rhule) is the right man for the job and he obviously has a track record of turning programs around. I believe he will be able to do that at Nebraska.”
Nebraska, and their sometimes relentless pursuit of Kaelin, never really wavered even after he committed to Missouri and while there was a high profile quarterback they were pursing.
“There were times where the stuff with Dylan (Riola) started picking up and stuff slowed down with me and Nebraska but obviously it gained a lot of traction recently,” Kaelin said.
“I made it clear I wouldn’t go to a school if I didn’t feel like a priority. I wouldn’t go to a school if I felt like I was a second or backup option. I didn’t feel that way and I don’t think that is how they felt.”
Now Kaelin will turn his attention to peer recruiting particularly the two wide receivers he throws to every day in practice, Dae’vonn Hall and Isaiah McMorris.
“Those are two of the names I’m going to be going after for sure,” he said. “There is a bunch of guys in Nebraska right now and we have to lock in the state talent the best we can. If the best guys from Nebraska go to Nebraska we can win. It is going to be a big priority for them.”
