Daniel Kaelin was one of the state’s top players for Coach Michael Huffman while leading a high-powered Bellevue West offensive attack. An Elite 11 quarterback, Kaelin excelled alongside fellow Bellevue West signees Isaiah McMorris and Dae'vonn Hall, giving Nebraska three signees from the same high school in the same class for the first time since 1987 (Creighton Prep).
As a senior, Kaelin completed 187-of-319 passes for 2,225 yards and 17 touchdowns, against only six interceptions. He also rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Thunderbirds to a 7-4 record and a trip to the state semifinals. Kaelin was an honorable-mention all-state pick and second-team All-Metro selection by the Omaha World-Herald for his work at quarterback. He also averaged 37.0 yards per punt and was a first-team Super-State selection by the Lincoln Journal Star at that position.
Kaelin completed nearly 64 percent of his passes as a junior and threw for 3,186 yards and 36 touchdowns to guide Bellevue West to a 7-4 record. He also ran for 175 yards and two touchdowns. For his play, Kaelin was a first-team All-Nebraska selection as an athlete and a second-team Super-State selection as a quarterback.
Kaelin split time at quarterback as a sophomore, throwing for 693 yards and five touchdowns to help Bellevue West to a 10-2 record and a state semifinal appearance.
Kaelin is regarded as one of the top five players in Nebraska, including the No. 2 player in the state by 247 Sports. He is ranked among the top 30 quarterbacks in the country by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals.com. Kaelin participated in the prestigious Elite 11 Camp in California in the summer of 2023.