BOCA RATON — Caden Veltkamp led the nation with nearly 29 completions per game last season. Almost three more than No. 2 on the list.
The Florida Atlantic quarterback threw for 3,641 yards and 24 touchdowns. He set the program record with a 67% completion rate and 345 completions. He did it playing most of the season with a sore shoulder that required offseason surgery.
And he's 6-foot-5, 236 pounds.
I know what you're thinking: Why is Veltkamp still at FAU? Why is he the only one of the seven quarterbacks leading the state's FBS schools who did not transfer this year? Why did he not seek other offers?
The answer: Because Veltkamp is different. He did not hold FAU
hostage for more money. In fact, he had no interest in seeking the highest offer.
Because midway through the 2025 season, sometime in October, Veltkamp told coach Zach Kittley he was returning.
"I just looked him in the eye, told him, I'm not going to sign this piece of paper and then dip out," Veltkamp said.
And he understood last season, with all the accolades that included three times tying or setting the school record for completions, did not go the way he wanted. All those numbers were not without flaws: 17 interceptions, which also led the country; and a 4-8 record.
"I didn’t play well enough," he said.
Loyalty … and a sense of perspective. Something you do not often see in this new day and age of pay for play.
And none of it surprises Kittley.
"He could have been out there and just taking bids," Kittley said. "I've known him for years and there's just a trust factor there. And he's different. He's a coach's kid. It was never about money for him. He could have gone elsewhere for more money. I think it's about opportunity for him. And that's where him and I are super aligned.
"I don't think there would have ever been a question of him leaving."
Veltkamp's name is not found on any list of college football's high earners. But he does have an Opendorse profile; fans can go to his RallyFuel page for contributions, autographs, and social media promotions. They can purchase merch through his Locker Room NIL Store.
But that's what Veltkamp is all about, not about signing a deal and later dipping out, as he would say, when he was poached by another team.
Veltkamp transferred to FAU after three years at Western Kentucky to play for a coach who once recruited him, who runs an Air Raid offense, and who helped develop three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback while he was an assistant at Texas Tech.
Veltkamp also earned a degree. He earned his bachelor's in business administration and management and is pursuing a master's in sport and fitness administration. The latter is a work in progress.
"My dad kind of taught me about being loyal to the people that are good to you," Veltkamp said. "And coach Kittley's been nothing but awesome to my family. I know guys in college football bounce around all the time, and I don't blame them. A lot of them are going to get money a lot of them don't get.
"So I understand both sides of it. But at the same time, my dream is to go play in the NFL. I thought that coach Kittley and Florida Atlantic gave me the best chance to do that."
Especially in an offense that led the nation with 340.7 passing yards per game in 2025.
FAU's Caden Veltkamp ready for the Florida Gators
Veltkamp opens his second season at FAU on Sept. 5 at Florida, where more than 80,000 will welcome Gators new coach Jon Sumrall, cheer on arguably the best running back in the county in Jadan Baugh and sing "I Won't Back Down" between the third and fourth quarters.
And where the Owls are a 26.5-point underdog in what is known as a "guarantee game."
Guarantee for two reasons: Usually — but not always — the school with an athletic department budget of nearly $200 million more than its opponent leaves with a win. Also, because that smaller school is taking home a large check for the expected beatdown. In this case, $1.2 million for FAU.
"Don't care, don't care," Veltkamp said. "I don't care what the spread is or what the betting odds are. When you step on a football field, you expect to win. And that's my expectation for us.
"If you're stepping on the field and a guy next to me is like, 'I don't know if we're going to win this game, these guys might be too good,' I'm going to tell the coach, 'this guy can't be on the field with us.' You have to have ultimate confidence in yourself and in the team. And I think our team does."
This is Veltkamp's fifth season but his first real test in an college hotbed environment. He was at Western Kentucky when the Hilltoppers played at Auburn, Ohio State and Alabama. But he wasn't the starter.
Still, Kittley believes all those experiences are invaluable.
"He's been there, so he's not going to come in nervous," Kittley said. "And he's a senior, and he knows we got four months to get this thing right for him to go win a championship here and then set himself up for the future.
"I'm glad he's going to be our guy rolling into this Saturday night."
Veltkamp knows Steve Spurrier and his family
One thing Veltkamp is familiar with is the First Family of Florida Football. Veltkamp was a groomsman in Gavin Spurrier's wedding in May. Gavin, who is coaching at Austin Peay, is the son of Steve Spurrier Jr., a Gators offensive analyst; and grandson of Steve Spurrier, who needs no introduction.
Caden and Gavin met at South Warren High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Steve Spurrier Jr. was an assistant at Western Kentucky in 2017. A year later, Caden's dad, Jason, joined the Hilltoppers' staff where he is the director of football strength and conditioning.
When the subject of both teams' season opener came up, Veltkamp was not engaging Steve Spurrier Jr.
"We were chopping up and he's like, 'Oh, how are you guys looking this year? ' " Veltkamp said. "Whatever."
But he'll listen and talk to the Spurriers any other time. Especially if that conversation is with the face of Florida football and a man who would be a must-listen for any quarterback.
"I've met him and we spoke before," Veltkamp said about Steve Spurrier. "He came to the state championship game in 2018. I met him there. And then being close with him, we've been around each other a little bit, but I haven't had a ton of conversations with him.
"But he's an awesome dude."
As for the conversation, maybe later. … after he tries to beat Spurrier's old team.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: It was never about money for FAU quarterback Caden Veltcamp | D'Angelo
