4-star tight end Kaden Helms still committed to Oklahoma

On3 imageby:Keegan Pope11/29/21

bykeeganpope

In the midst of a wave of decommitments, four-star Bellevue (Neb.) Bellevue West tight end Kaden Helms remains pledged to Oklahoma — for now.

Helms, who committed to the Sooners in July, posted a tweet Monday morning showing his support for Oklahoma associate head coach Joe Jon Finley.

“Trusting whatever Gods plan may be for me through the thick of the storm.. Praying Joe Jon Finley can be a part of it though!” Helms wrote.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder is the No. 221 prospect in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 is significantly higher on Helms, ranking him as the country’s No. 121 prospect, No. 6 tight end and No. 1 player in Nebraska.

Oklahoma is hoping to hold on to Kaden Helms

Since news broke Sunday of head coach Lincoln Riley’s departure for USC, Oklahoma has lost six commitments, including three in the 2022 class.

Among them Five-Star Plus+ 2023 quarterback Malachi Nelson, four-star 2023 wide receiver Brandon Inniss, four-star 2023 running back Treyaun Webb, four-star 2022 IOL Demetrius Hunter, four-star 2022 defensive lineman Derrick Moore and four-star 2022 linebacker Kobie McKinzie

The Sooners now have 14 prospects committed for 2022 and have dropped to No. 9 in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. And it’s likely that the hits aren’t over yet. A number of Oklahoma recruits expressed their shock over Riley’s departure on Twitter Sunday, including four-star 2022 commits Raleek Brown and Nicholas Anderson.

Helms apparently will remain on board as long as Finley does. Although new coaching staffs often replace the entire of the old guard when they take a job. Miami, North Carolina and Auburn were the three other schools Helms took official visits to this summer, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see any — or all — of the three get involved again.