Western Kentucky quarterback Caden Veltkamp (10) takes the snap from center during the Hilltoppers’ 38-35 overtime win against Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl on Dec. 18 at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Western Kentucky quarterback Caden Veltkamp will return to the Hilltoppers, Veltkamp announced Wednesday.

“I believe in the people here. The people here are the reason it feels like home,” Veltkamp said in a news release after announcing his exit from the NCAA transfer portal. “I think we have a good team coming back and I truly think we can compete for a championship.”

Veltkamp led the Hilltoppers from a 28-point deficit to a 38-35 overtime victory over Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 18 to cap off the 2023 season. The Bowling Green native finished off his redshirt freshman season with Famous Toastery Bowl Offensive MVP honors after throwing for 383 yards and five touchdowns on 40-of-52 passing off the bench in the first significant action of his collegiate career.

The win marked WKU’s third bowl win in the last three seasons and the fourth in five seasons under head coach Tyson Helton.

Veltkamp was a standout locally at South Warren High School, where he was considered a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. He threw for 2,456 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the Spartans to a 14-1 record and a KHSAA Class 5A state title his senior season.

Veltkamp joins teammate Upton Stout as Hilltoppers who entered the NCAA transfer portal before ultimately returning to WKU. Stout, a standout redshirt junior defensive back, put up impressive numbers despite missing five full games and part of another this past season. The Houston native posted 29 tackles, with 1.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks, an interception he returned 53 yards for a touchdown, eight pass breakups, five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery he returned 16 yards for a touchdown.

WKU finished the 2023 season with an 8-5 overall record. The Hilltoppers are slated to open the 2024 season at Alabama on Aug. 31, 2024.