Bellevue West tight end Kaden Helms has announced his commitment to Oklahoma. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior-to-be made his commitment public in a ceremony at Bellevue West’s Faiman Field on Saturday night.

“I chose Oklahoma because at Bellevue West we have a winning mentality and I wanted to go somewhere I could continue that at the next level the most dominately and earliest,” Helms said of his commitment to OU. “I can achieve both with Oklahoma because after this year they need guys to come in and make an impact because all of their scholarship tight ends leave after this year.”

Helms chose the Sooners over finalist North Carolina and a late run by Southern California.

“USC reached out and was wondering where I was in my process and expressed they really like my talents and would love to have me over there but I think it was just too late in my recruiting process.”

Helms visited OU in late June and the comfort he felt with the staff and players in Norman helped in his decision.

“I really like how comfortable I felt when I was on campus and I feel like I can be myself around the coaches no matter what,” Helms said. “The players and the atmosphere there all point towards a winning environment and that’s something I really valued.”

Helms, a three-star prospect, is the third-rated 2022 prospect in Nebraska and No. 15 rated tight end prospect nationally according to the 247Sports composite.

OU has told him they plan to use him in different ways all over the field and not exclusively as a tight end.

“Their plan with me is to move me all around the field and utilize my abilities to the fullest extent,” he said. “They want me to play outside receiver, slot, H back and in-line tight end.”

As a junior last fall, Helms caught 25 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns.