Bellevue West tight end Kaden Helms has announced his top 10 on Monday evening. Arizona State, Auburn, Florida State, Iowa, Iowa State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Miami and Tennessee made the cut out of 23 power-conference schools. 

“The main reason is the interest being shown from the coaching staff,” the 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior said of his top 10. “I like how they use their tight ends. They have shown me their spring practices and I like what they showed and how they have communicated with me what they want to do with tight ends.”

Helms is rated as a three-star in the 2022 class according to the 247Sports composite, a ranking that combines the three major national rankings of 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals. 247 ranks him as a four-star and the No. 12 tight end nationally in the 2022 class. 

In seven games last fall, Helms had 25 receptions for 322 yards and four touchdowns. 

Helms is hoping to take a handful of official visits in June, should the NCAA’s suspension of in-person recruiting be lifted. On Feb. 17 the DI Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees and Division I Legislative committee recommended the extension of the suspension through May 31. 

“Oklahoma on June 19 is one (official visit) I’m planning on going to for sure,” Helms said. “I’m not sure if I will be able to take the full five in June because of my mom’s work, but OU is the one that I know for sure.” 

Nebraska not making the top 10 for Helms might raise some eyebrows for local fans. Helms is the third of five in-state players in the 2022 class NU has offered to leave the Huskers off of their top schools’ list. Earlier this year Omaha Burke linebacker Devon Jackson and Omaha Central offensive lineman Deshawn Woods announced their top five that didn’t include NU. Nebraska has secured a verbal commitment from 2022 Columbus linebacker Ernest Hausmann. 

“It’s nothing about the coaching staff or anything like that,” Helms said of leaving NU off of his list. “I had a good talk with coach (Scott) Frost and told him they were one of the schools that recruited me the most. My main thing is I’ve lived in Nebraska my whole life and I kind of want to meet new people and experience new things.”

Helms doesn’t have a specific date when he will announce his commitment, although he does want to make a decision before the start of his season. 

“After I take officials in June I will probably make a decision,” he said. “I want to have the decision made before my senior season so I can focus on just playing football.”