Joe Jon Finley secures his first Sooner commitment.

Joe Jon Finley has secured his first commitment as an official member of the Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff as Kaden Helms, a flex tight-end from Bellevue, Nebraska, has announced his intention to continue his athletic and academic career in Norman. The athletic pass catcher has chosen OU over programs such as North Carolina, Auburn, Arizona State and Miami.

At Bellevue (Neb.) West High School, Helms plays a “tweener” role between being a receiver and a tight end. With that in mind, if I had to compare him to a previous Sooner I would say he seems like a taller Grant Calcaterra. Built with a 6’5, 222lbs frame, Helms often flips between playing on the inside and outside because of his athleticism. At this point of his progression, he’s still very much a finesse pass catcher with the tools to become a great blocker, but the amount of upside in his game within a Lincoln Riley offense is fun to imagine. I imagine that Helms likes to try to model his game after George Kittle, a former Norman resident (and Pro Bowl TE), who signed with Iowa at a frame of 6’4, 230lbs. What jumps off at the film is his athleticism and speed in the open field along with his basketball skills of high pointing the ball well after sealing off his opponent from the ball.

Helms is Oklahoma’s 15th commitment for the 2022 recruiting cycle and the second TE of the class. According to 247Sports Composite, Kaden Helms is the No. 3 player from the state of Nebraska as well as the No. 15 overall TE. Riley’s Sooners haven’t really had a consistent pass catcher and blocker at tight end in the lineup since Kyler Murray was throwing the ball to Grant Calcaterra and that is no fault to either Austin Stogner or Calc because of their own health struggles. Once both Helms and Llewellyn enter the Bennie Wylie training program, both have the capability of being dynamic playmakers in Riley’s offense as tall, long armed, athletic tight ends.