Getting to know Nebraska football’s 2024 class: Daniel Kaelin

Daniel Kaelin picked up the offer from Nebraska as a freshman in high school. There were a number of changes at Nebraska and even after Matt Rhule got to Nebraska, the Huskers were zeroed in on another quarterback. When Nebraska re-approached him, Kaelin got an opportunity to flip to Nebraska from Missouri.

Kaelin’s story is a good one. Get to know Daniel Kaelin.

About Daniel Kaelin

Where were you born?

“I was born in Springfield, Mo. My dad is from St. Louis, but a lot of my family is from Minnesota, and that’s where my parents met. They moved to Springfield, and my grandparents moved there, too.”

How many siblings and what are their ages?

“I have nine total siblings including step-siblings. Three of them live in Springfield, two brothers with one of them being my age and another one is a year younger and a step-sister who is a freshman in high school. I have two brothers, one is wrapping up college and my other brother is a swimmer at the University of Minnesota.

“I also have a step-sister who is a swimmer at the University of Tampa. Another step-sister is a cheerleader at Florida Atlantic. And then two other step-siblings in Omaha. One is a younger boy and a sister that is about my age. It’s a lot.”

What do you do in your free time?

“I like to travel and be outdoors. I like to play cards a lot too. Pitch for sure or dummy rummy.”

Favorite show:

“I don’t really watch shows consistently. I have watched Stranger Things, but I really just watch sports.”

Favorite movie:

“Interstellar is good. I love anything Marvel.”

Favorite music artist:

“Drake.”

Favorite quote:

“I think something that Huffman said early on was, “Football is a what have you done for me lately, sport.” So, like, taking a day off hurts. It doesn’t matter that you put in work a month ago if you’re lazy now. And my favorite Bible verse is Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believe”.”

Favorite athlete:

“Right now, I love watching CJ Stroud. He’s really fun to watch. My all-time favorites are either Odell Beckham, Jr. or Victor Cruz. I read Victor Cruz’s autobiography in third grade, and I was a big Giants fan. I would put Steph Curry in there.”

Kobe or Michael:

“Michael.”

Favorite shoe:

“Yeezy 350s.”

Playstation or Xbox:

“Playstation.”

Favorite food:

“Sushi or a really good filet.”

Favorite drink:

“Probably lemonade.”

Celebrity crush:

“I don’t really think so, to be honest.”

Go Big Red #Committed @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/1HIou4CqJJ

— Daniel Kaelin (@DanielKaelin5) May 20, 2023

The path to Nebraska for Daniel Kaelin

Do you have any ties back to the school (family members went there or played there, etc.)?

“Not a lot. My brother went there for a year during Covid. I have some distant relatives that are really big fans.”

Tell us about your journey through the offer, to the visits, and committing:

“I got my first offer my freshman year from Florida State and four hours later Nebraska offered me. Verduzco is the coach that offered me over the phone and I liked Frost’s staff. I went on a visit that summer and stayed in contact a little bit, but I don’t think that staff was super interested early on. I got a few more offers and a year goes by then Frost gets fired, mid-season.

“Mickey Joseph started contacting me and he wanted me to stay home. I really liked Mickey and coach Rhule got hired and I remember I was one of the first guys that he followed and he reached out two days after getting the job at Nebraska. I thought we really clicked and he made a point to tell me that he didn’t want me to go anywhere else and that he wanted me badly. That same week they had the in-state junior day and I met coach Satterfield and the rest of the staff there. I really liked them.

“I got a few more offers and took some visits. Things picked up between Nebraska and Dylan Raiola. I started to like some other schools and that’s when I committed to Mizzou. After Raiola went somewhere else, I started talking to Nebraska again. It was a quick turnaround, but there was a little more to it that what meets the eye, and flipped to Nebraska and I have been committed ever since.”

What do you like about Nebraska’s coaching staff and who are you closest to?

“Closest to would for sure be Satterfield, DiMichele, and McGuire.”

Did any schools continue to recruit you after you committed to Nebraska?

“I think that people see when an in-state kid commits to Nebraska they know. It picked up for me in the last month for obvious reasons.”

Were there any schools that tried to negatively recruit you against Nebraska?

“I am not going to say who, but yeah, for sure.”

Do you have a crazy story that you can share from your recruiting process?

“Certain coaches that you would go and visit and tell you something, and two days later, they are coaching at another school. The coach has no obligation to be honest to you.”

If you didn’t go to Nebraska, which school would you have chosen?

“Missouri, because I was committed there.”

What do you look forward to the most when it comes to your life as a Husker?

“The whole entire thing. Going to college and being on my own in a sense. I am looking forward to playing at a level that I worked really hard to play at.”

What is your plan for year one?

“Come in, work my butt off and grow. Get bigger, faster, and stronger. As a freshman, dive into the playbook and competing.”

What position will you play for Nebraska?

“Quarterback.”

What number do you want to wear?

“I would like 10, but that’s Heinrich’s number. I have joked with him that I was going to pay him for it.”

What were your thoughts about your senior year?

“My biggest takeaway was that I learned so much. It didn’t go perfectly to plan, but I had a lot of fun playing with my guys. Using some of the struggles, the ups and downs, I really think that I have gotten better.”

Was graduating early a difficult decision?

“Not at all. I have planned on it for a while.”

What other sports have you played?

“Everything. Up until high school, I played everything.”

What would you like to tell all of the Nebraska fans?

“Nothing too crazy. I have been a fan for a long time and I don’t take representing the brand and the state for granted. I am going to give it my all and work my hardest.”

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