Nebraska quarterback Daniel Kaelin talks growth and goals after first spring camp

The freshman quarterback wrapped up his first spring camp with the Huskers and has already noted growth in his game through the coaching staff and the quarterback competition.

He hasn’t shied away from embracing the competition with fellow quarterbacks every day in practice and spring camp.

“That only pushed myself and all the guys to improve,” Kaelin said. “It’s only going to elevate my play.”

Kaelin noted how new quarterback coach Glenn Thomas has helped him work to attack every play. He added that defensive coordinator Tony White’s ability to disguise things in the defense has helped him learn to read coverages and different schemes better.

The knowledge passed down from the coaching staff, from coach Matt Rhule to the assistants, has made the biggest impression on Kaelin after his first spring camp.

“Sometimes they don’t even try to and it’s just stuff that they know that’s just helping myself learn more about the game of football,” Kaelin said.

As a freshman, Kaelin has many goals, but a short-term objective is reaching 218 to 220 pounds by the start of fall camp.

Looking forward to this season, he aims to get on the field and make as much of an impact as he can in whatever action he gets.

Kaelin was a three-star recruit who played at Bellevue West before he arrived at Nebraska. On Saturday, he returned to the school to help quarterback coach John Teigland with a quarterback development camp for players in fifth through 12th grades.

He worked with fellow college quarterbacks Zane Flores, who is at Oklahoma State, and Nate Glantz, who is at Lindenwood.

Kaelin and Flores have known each other for six years. The biggest aspect of their relationship is how they’ve pushed each other.

They’ve grown close over the years through working together and their battles in high school. Kaelin noted how he’s looked up to Flores and wanted to follow in his footsteps as a successful high school quarterback.

Their relationship also goes beyond the football field. Their competitive nature extends into other sports like golf, where Flores and Kaelin both said Flores was the better of the pair.

Kaelin did make it clear that he was the only one to get a birdie when they played golf Friday.

Teigland, who hosted the camp, started working with Kaelin when he was in seventh grade. Teigland noted the growth he’s seen in Kaelin, and earning a spot with the Huskers was no mistake.

“The guy is a professional,” Tiegland said of Kaelin. “He lives and breathes this stuff.”